 The advancement in tissue engineering relies on a thorough study of cell tissue interactions and the selection of appropriate biomaterials to create a suitable microenvironment for cell growth and differentiation. Optimizing polymeric scaffolds involves considering chemical, physical, and biological parameters, with recent progress focusing on modifying scaffold bulk and surface properties to enhance cell biomaterial interaction. Understanding the impact of scaffolds on cell fate is crucial for successful tissue engineering advancement, and future perspectives in this field continue to develop. This article was authored by Paola Nitti, Athera Narayanan, Rebecca Pellegrino, and others.