Researchers have discovered that by adjusting how gelatin-based hydrogel microparticles, which are tiny gel-like particles, are arranged in scaffolds, they can control the shape and movement of cells. In lab settings, cells can switch from a spread-out form to an elongated shape, and in living tissues, the process influences how cells move into the scaffold. This could be important for developing consistent methods to create these hydrogel scaffolds for both lab-grown tissues and treatments that help repair damaged tissues inside the body, the researchers said.