The dynamic epigenetic landscape directs gene expression patterns that dictate cellular form and function, and drive the assembly of cells into tissues. The high degree of plasticity in the epigenetic landscape of mammalian cells is directed by materials, which provide the context in which cells receive and integrate multivariate signals to programme the chromatin state towards specific functional outcomes. In this Review, we explore how materials guide the cellular epigenetic landscape and discuss how engineered materials target cell plasticity, particularly through dynamic changes in histone methylation and acetylation. After discussing findings in developmental biology and cancer research that link materials parameters to chromatin state, we highlight how cell culture materials that control ligand presentation, mechanics, topography and geometry have shown how materials cues and context influence chromatin state through mechanotransduction. Finally, we describe how tissue fabrication can control cellular plasticity to drive meaningful biological activities that may facilitate the assembly of cells and tissues into functional architectures.

动态的表观遗传格局指导着决定细胞形式和功能的基因表达模式，并驱动细胞向组织中的组装。哺乳动物细胞在表观遗传学上的高度可塑性是由材料决定的，这些材料提供了细胞接收和整合多元信号以将染色质状态编程为特定功能结果的环境。在这篇综述中，我们探讨了材料如何指导细胞表观遗传学，并讨论了工程材料如何靶向细胞可塑性，特别是通过组蛋白甲基化和乙酰化的动态变化。在讨论了将材料参数与染色质状态相关联的发育生物学和癌症研究的发现之后，我们重点介绍了细胞培养材料如何控制配体的表达，力学，地形和几何学表明材料线索和环境如何通过机械转导影响染色质状态。最后，我们描述了组织制造如何控制细胞可塑性以驱动有意义的生物学活动，这可能有助于将细胞和组织组装成功能体系。