Mechanobiology of bioceramics: how topography, stiffness, and porosity shape cellular response

Bone is a complex, hierarchical tissue that experiences mechanical stimuli across multiple scales, from macro to nano, influencing its structural integrity and cellular behavior. In bone tissue engineering, the mechanobiology of bioceramics plays a crucial role, where material properties such as topography, stiffness, and porosity directly influence cellular responses. This chapter explores how these characteristics regulate cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and which techniques allow the tuning of bioceramics toward the desired features. We discuss the impact of micro- and nano-scale features on protein adsorption and osteogenic differentiation, the interplay between biomaterial stiffness and mechanosensitive pathways, and the role of porosity in vascularization and osteointegration. By bridging materials science and cell biology, this chapter aims to provide insights into optimizing bioceramic scaffold design for bone regeneration strategies while highlighting current challenges in the field.