 Cells interact with their surrounding environment through a combination of static and dynamic mechanical signals that vary over stimulus types, intensity, space and time. Compared to static mechanical signals such as stiffness, porosity and topography, the current understanding on the effects of dynamic mechanical stimulations on cells remains limited, attributing to a lack of access to devices, the complexity of experimental setup and data interpretation. Yet, in the pursuit of emerging translational applications, e.g., cell manufacturing for clinical treatment, it is crucial to understand how cells respond to a variety of dynamic forces that are omnipresent in vivo so that they can be exploited to enhance manufacturing and therapeutic outcomes. With a rising appreciation of the extracellular matrix, ECM, as a key regulator of bio-functions, researchers have bio-engineered a suite of ECM mimicking hydrogels, which can be fine-tuned with spatiotemporal mechanical cues to model complex static and dynamic mechanical profiles. This review first discusses how mechanical stimuli may impact different cellular components and the various mechanobiology pathways involved. Then, how? This article was authored by Yu Feng Shou, Ex-Ain Yong Tao, Kenny Zhuoran Wu and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.