Culture Environment Research Articles

Exploring the Influence of Culture Environment on the Yield of Volvariella volvacea Based on Microbiomics

As one of the most nutritious and delicious mushroom varieties, Volvariella volvacea has always been popular among people around the world. Different from other artificially cultivated mushrooms, Volvariella volvacea is mostly planted on non-sterile substrates. As the cultivation time increases, the yield of mushroom houses continues to decrease. In our experiment, we selected two groups of samples from the old and new mushroom houses, environmental samples and substrate samples. The results showed that the diversity and abundance of microorganisms in the culture environment of the old mushroom room were consistent with that of the new mushroom room, but the proportion of actinomycetes in the former was significantly higher than that of the new mushroom room. The metabolic activity of microorganisms in the old mushroom room was enhanced compared with the new mushroom room. The microbial diversity in the growth substrate was investigated, and it was found that the structure and diversity of the microbial community in the substrate had changed. In conclusion, the interplay between mushrooms, the culture environment, and the host bacterial community may be the cause of the changes in the yield of Volvariella volvacea.

Advances in 3D Culture Models to Study Exosomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, exhibits distinct subtypes with varying pathological, genetic, and clinical characteristics. Despite advancements in breast cancer treatments, its histological and molecular heterogeneity pose a significant clinical challenge. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapeutics, adds to the complexity of breast cancer treatment. Recent years have witnessed the development of advanced 3D culture technologies, such as organoids and spheroids, providing more representative models of healthy human tissue and various malignancies. These structures, resembling organs in structure and function, are generated from stem cells or organ-specific progenitor cells via self-organizing processes. Notably, 3D culture systems bridge the gap between 2D cultures and in vivo studies, offering a more accurate representation of in vivo tumors' characteristics. Exosomes, small nano-sized molecules secreted by breast cancer and stromal/cancer-associated fibroblast cells, have garnered significant attention. They play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication, influencing tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. The 3D culture environment enhances exosome efficiency compared to traditional 2D cultures, impacting the transfer of specific cargoes and therapeutic effects. Furthermore, 3D exosomes have shown promise in improving therapeutic outcomes, acting as potential vehicles for cancer treatment administration. Studies have demonstrated their role in pro-angiogenesis and their innate therapeutic potential in mimicking cellular therapies without side effects. The 3D exosome model holds potential for addressing challenges associated with drug resistance, offering insights into the mechanisms underlying multidrug resistance and serving as a platform for drug screening. This review seeks to emphasize the crucial role of 3D culture systems in studying breast cancer, especially in understanding the involvement of exosomes in cancer pathology.

An in vitro three-dimensional (3D) testicular organoid culture system for efficient gonocyte maintenance and propagation using frozen/thawed neonatal bovine testicular tissues

Fertility preservation in prepubertal boys with cancer requires the cryopreservation of immature testicular tissues (ITTs) prior to gonadotoxic treatment. However, the limited number of germ cells in small human ITT biopsies necessitates the development of an in vitro culture system for germ cell expansion using frozen-thawed ITTs. Here, we generated testicular organoids for the in vitro maintenance and expansion of gonocytes from frozen-thawed two-week-old neonatal bovine ITTs. We investigated the effects of different cell-seeding densities, culture serums, seeding methods, and gonadotropin supplementations, on the maintenance and proliferation of enriched gonocytes. Our results demonstrated that enriched gonocytes and testicular cells from frozen-thawed neonatal ITTs could self-assemble into spheroid organoids in three days in an appropriate Matrigel-based culture environment. For the optimal formation of prepubertal testicular organoids, a seeding density of 1 × 106 cells/well is recommended over other densities. This strategy results in organoids with a mean diameter of 60.53 ± 12.12 μm; the mean number of organoids was 5.57 ± 1.60/105 μm2 on day 11. The viability of organoids was maintained at 79.75 ± 2.99% after being frozen and thawed. Supplementing the culture medium with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, fibroblast growth factor 2, and leukemia inhibitory factor, increased the proportion of KI67-positive proliferating cells in organoids, elevated the expression of C-KIT but reduced the expression of GFRα1 at day 28 when compared to those without hormone supplements (p< 0.05). In addition, supplementing the culture medium with follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone helped to maintain a significantly higher viability (p< 0.05) in ITT organoids at day 28. These organoids could be cryopreserved for storage and thawed as needed. The successful generation of ITT organoids provides a valuable tool for establishing in vitro spermatogenesis, propagating human germ cells, investigating testicular physiology and the origin of germ cell tumors, and testing the toxicity of new drugs in future clinical applications.

The Role of Organisational Commitment in Mediating Employee Work Behavior as Organisational Culture in the ATVI Environment

This research aims to determine whether Organisational Commitment plays a role in mediating the influence of Organisational Culture and Work Environment on Organisational Citizenship Behavior at the Indonesian Television Academy. This research was conducted at the Indonesian Television Academy. The sampling technique used in this research is a saturated sampling technique, because the number of samples in this research is the entire population of Indonesian Television Academy employees as the educational academy is going to be transformed into higher level educational institution. The data analysis method used is multiple linear analysis. The results of this research are that there is an influence of Organisational Culture on Organisational Commitment, there is an influence of the Work Environment on Organisational Commitment, there is an influence of Organisational Commitment on Organisational Citizenship Behavior. Organisational Commitment mediates the influence of Organisational Culture on Organisational Citizenship Behavior and Organisational Commitment mediates the influence of the Work Environment on Organisational Citizenship Behavior.

AMR Threat Perception Assessment of Heterotrophic Bacteria From Shrimp Aquaculture Through Epidemiological Cut off Values.

Emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance is one of the major risks associated with the rampant usage of antibiotics in food-producing animals including aquaculture. To determine Epidemiological Cut-OFF (ECOFF) values of heterotrophic bacterial populations from shrimp culture environments against five different antibiotics. In this present study, bacterial samples were isolated from Penaeus vannamei culture environment in different locations of Andhra Pradesh, which is the aquaculture hub of India. The bacterial isolates were assessed for antibiotic resistance towards five antibiotics belonging to different classes (oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and co-trimoxazole) by the disc diffusion method. Determination of Epidemiological Cut-OFF (ECOFF) values and analysis by employing normalized resistance interpretation (NRI) was carried out. The most dominant bacterial populations from shrimp culture were Vibrio spp. (pathogenic bacteria) followed by Bacillus spp. (probiotic bacteria). The bacterial isolates showed highest resistance towards oxytetracycline (overall 23.38%) and in location L6 (59.4%) followed by co-trimoxazole (31.1%). ECOFF values calculated by employing NRI showed that the disc diffusion data were distributed in a normalized manner. The maximum ECOFF value was obtained for ciprofloxacin (23.32 mm), while the minimum value was observed for oxytetracycline (9.05 mm). The antibiotic resistant phenotypes showed that the majority of the heterotrophic bacterial isolates (>60%) belonged to the non-wild type phenotype and primarily towards oxytetracycline (90%). The presence of non-wild antibiotic-resistant phenotypes of heterotrophic bacterial populations (which include not only pathogenic bacteria but also probiotic bacteria) indicates that shrimp culture ponds may be a reservoir for drug-resistant bacteria and there is a greater risk associated with transmission of resistant genes across bacterial flora. NRI analysis of antibiotic disc diffusion data of heterotrophic bacterial populations in shrimp aquaculture environments revealed that majority of them belonged to non-wild type (90%) paticularly to oxytetracycline in comparison to other studied antibiotics (chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and co-trimoxazole).

Influence of host phylogeny and water physicochemistry on microbial assemblages of the fish skin microbiome.

The skin of fish contains a diverse microbiota that has symbiotic functions with the host, facilitating pathogen exclusion, immune system priming, and nutrient degradation. The composition of fish skin microbiomes varies across species and in response to a variety of stressors, however, there has been no systematic analysis across these studies to evaluate how these factors shape fish skin microbiomes. Here, we examined 1922 fish skin microbiomes from 36 studies that included 98 species and nine rearing conditions to investigate associations between fish skin microbiome, fish species, and water physiochemical factors. Proteobacteria, particularly the class Gammaproteobacteria, were present in all marine and freshwater fish skin microbiomes. Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Ralstonia, Sphingomonas and Flavobacterium were the most abundant genera within freshwater fish skin microbiomes, and Alteromonas, Photobacterium, Pseudoalteromonas, Psychrobacter and Vibrio were the most abundant in saltwater fish. Our results show that different culturing (rearing) environments have a small but significant effect on the skin bacterial community compositions. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, and salinity significantly correlated with differences in beta-diversity but not necessarily alpha-diversity. To improve study comparability on fish skin microbiomes, we provide recommendations for approaches to the analyses of sequencing data and improve study reproducibility.

THE EXISTENCE OF JAMU AS A TRADITIONAL DRINK IN THE PRESERVATION OF INDONESIAN CULINARY (CASE STUDY: GENERATION Z AGE 18 -23 YEARS AT TOURISM SCHOOL IN SOUTH JAKARTA)

Jamu is a traditional Indonesian drink inherited from our ancestors. The existence of herbal medicine, which has been a culture passed down from generation to generation for a long time, is not only used as a means of treatment but can be used for other benefits such as body care or related to matters of a metaphysical nature. Little cultural information about herbal medicine has been found or conveyed. Herbal medicine is holistic, safe to consume, and has many benefits for those who regularly consume it. Two hundred respondents were involved in this research's data collection process. The family's most important role is the main factor in preserving herbal medicine. Introducing herbal medicine early will foster a concern for cultural heritage later. Apart from family, the social environment is also essential in its implementation. This research aims to determine the existence of herbal medicine among Generation Z regarding elements related to ensuring that herbal medicine remains sustainable and maintained. This research uses qualitative methods using data sources, journals, and reference documents. The data collection techniques are interviews, observation, and question and answer. The results of the research show that (1) family social culture and social environment are still relatively low, (2) sensory factors are still a feature of herbal medicine, and (3) lack of information and basic knowledge about the history of herbal medicine. jamu. (4) There are no additional subjects about herbal medicine in schools, (5) Lack of introduction of herbal medicine at the upper-class level as a treat in star hotels. (6) The current Café Jamu business model lacks a clean, hygienic, modern presentation.

Facilitating long-term cell examinations and time-lapse recordings in cell biology research with CO2 mini-incubators

In recent years, microscopy has revolutionized the study of dynamic living cells. However, performing long-term live cell imaging requires stable environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, and humidity. While standard incubators have traditionally provided these conditions, other solutions, like stagetop incubators are available. To further enhance the accessibility of stable cell culture environments for live cell imaging, we developed a portable CO2 cell culture mini-incubator that can be easily adapted to any x–y inverted microscope stage, enabling long-term live cell imaging. This mini-incubator provides and maintains stable environmental conditions and supports cell viability comparable to standard incubators. Moreover, it allows for parallel experiments in the same environment, saving both time and resources. To demonstrate its functionality, different cell lines (VERO and MDA-MB-231) were cultured and evaluated using various assays, including crystal violet staining, MTT, and flow cytometry tests to assess cell adhesion, viability, and apoptosis, respectively. Time-lapse imaging was performed over an 85-h period with MDA-MB-231 cells cultured in the mini-incubator. The results indicate that this device is a viable solution for long-term imaging and can be applied in developmental biology, cell biology, and cancer biology research where long-term time-lapse recording is required.

THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND WORKLOAD ON TURNOVER INTENTION OF EMPLOYEES PT. BUMI JAYA TRANSINDO SEJAHTERA

This study examines the effects of organizational culture, workload, and work environment on employee turnover at PT. Bumi Jaya Transindo Sejahtera. Using a quantitative research approach, the study collected data from all 74 employees at the organization through a questionnaire. The sampling technique used was saturated sampling due to the small population size. The data was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that Organizational Culture (X1) and Work Environment (X2) had no significant impact on turnover intention. However, Workload (X3) was found to have a significant influence on turnover intention. Overall, this research highlights the importance of Organizational Culture, Work Environment, and Workload in understanding turnover intention. These findings provide valuable insights for organizations looking to improve employee retention strategies. Future research can explore specific interventions and policies to effectively address organizational culture, work environment, and workload concerns and reduce turnover intentions.

Measuring Employee Performance Post Pandemi Covid-19 View From Motivation, Competence, Discipline and Work Environment at Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) Klaten Regency

This study used a quantitative descriptive approach. The author chooses to use this quantitative descriptive method to determine the amount of influence and significance between the variables of competence, motivation, work discipline, culture and work environment on employee performance. The research was conducted at the Indonesian Red Cross Office (PMI) Klaten Regency which is located at Jalan Veteran No. 80 North Klaten, Klaten - Central Java 57431, Indonesia, the research time was carried out for 6 (six) months. The population in this study is all PMI employees of Klaten Regency totaling 60 people. The sample taken in this study was as many as 60 respondents The sampling technique used in this study was a census technique. The census method is a sampling technique when all members of the population are used as samples. After getting answers from respondents, the data is then processed using multiple linear regression analysis tools with the help of SPSS 23 software. Based on the results of the discussion above, the following conclusions can be drawn that have a significant effect on the performance of PMI Employees of Klaten Regency after the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, it did not have a significant effect on the performance of PMI Employees of Klaten Regency after the Covid-19 Pandemic

Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management Practices

This research investigates the barriers to effective Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices, focusing on the critical roles of environmental awareness, financial constraints, and regulatory compliance in organizations. It utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from expert interviews and case studies. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review to frame the hypotheses, followed by empirical data collection to evaluate these hypotheses. The findings are analyzed using statistical methods, including hypothesis testing and regression analysis, and are further enriched with expert opinions. Cronbach’s Alpha values are used to assess the reliability of measurement instruments for various factors, including Environmental Awareness, Financial Constraints, and Regulatory Compliance. The research culminates in presenting actionable strategies and recommendations for overcoming identified barriers, thereby promoting the adoption of GSCM practices in industries, particularly in the context of organizational culture and regulatory environments. The research aims to provide actionable recommendations based on validated hypotheses and case study findings to enhance the adoption of GSCM practices in underdeveloped nations.

#FandomsPeloVoto (#FandomsfortheVote): Fan Activism for Youth Voter Engagement in the 2022 Brazilian Elections

This article aims to analyze the media literacy skills at work in the content shared by fans on Twitter during the #FandomsPeloVoto (#Fandomsforthe- Vote) campaign. In a convergence culture environment, media literacy comprises five skills: curation, creation, critical understanding, participation, and collaboration. Launched in May 2022, the campaign—carried out in partnership with Mídia Ninja, the National Student Union (União Nacional dos Estudantes, UNE), and the Brazilian Union of Secondary School Students (União Brasileira dos Estudantes Secundaristas, UBES)—brought together more than 100 pop culture fandoms in Brazil to mobilize 16- to 18-year-olds to obtain a voter registration card and be eligible to vote in the 2022 elections. It can be concluded that the activism of fandoms goes beyond transposing fan culture practices into the realm of political participation, also encompassing the critical interpretation of the sociopolitical issues that were part of the action and the creative production of posts on Twitter. Accordingly, #FandomsPeloVoto has aspects of political resistance, as one of its primary objectives is the removal of President Jair Bolsonaro, leader of the far right in Brazil, from power.

How culture and legal environment affect classification shifting? Global evidence

AbstractThis study examines the interplay between various cultural characteristics and the legal environment on classification shifting using a global sample that enables variability in underlying cultural characteristics across countries while controlling for heterogeneity. Given that both culture and the legal environment tend to exhibit low variability over time, our international cross‐country analysis with diverse cultural dimensions and legal frameworks enhances the robustness of our empirical findings. Our identification strategy employs several models and shows the significant impact of culture on classification shifting and the interactions between national culture and the legal environment on classification shifting behaviour, though there is variability across countries. We also find that certain traits of culture induce classification shifting. We highlight that strengthening the legal environment becomes crucial in creating an institutional framework that effectively curbs unethical practices induced by certain national culture traits and enhances transparency and accountability in financial reporting.

Effects of bovine ova density and culture supplements on cleavage and blastocyst development rates of in vitro embryos

An optimized in vitro culture system is important to maximize bovine blastocyst development. Four experiments were conducted to explore manipulation of culture environments and investigate the benefits of culturing embryos in groups. Follicles were aspirated from abattoir-derived ovaries and selected oocytes were matured, fertilized, vortexed, and randomly placed in culture groups. Experiment 1 evaluated the effects of ova culture density on blastocyst development among embryos cultured individually or in groups of 5, 10, 20, or 50 embryos. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of conditioned media from previous replicates on embryo development of the current culture. In Experiment 3, cleaved embryos were grouped together after being in culture for 24 hours. Lastly, in Experiment 4, grouped embryos were placed in 10 μl culture drops to evaluate the effect of high density/low media volume on development. Cleavage and blastocyst rates analyzed via Chi-square indicated that although cleavage rates were similar among culture groups (and experiments), blastocyst development was lower (p &lt; 0.05) in 1 embryo culture group compared to other groups. When conditioned culture media from previous replicates were added to original culture media, blastocyst development was similar among original and conditioned culture groups of 20 and 50 embryos. When cleaved embryos were amalgamated and cultured, blastocyst development was higher (p &lt; 0.05) in culture groups of 10 than 1 cleaved embryo groups but similar to controls for both culture groups. When embryos were cultured in 10 μl drops, embryos cultured in groups of 5 had lower development to blastocysts compared to groups of 2, 10, 25, and control. In conclusion, these data indicated an apparent ‘helper effect’ expressed in culture environments of groups, and this effect apparently occurred after cleavage but before blastocyst development. Direct or indirect role(s) that additional cells have on in vitro culture and the mechanism of this helper effect requires further investigation.

The Antimelanogenic Activity of the Extract of Heukharang Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Leaf

Heukharang (Lactuca sativa L.), the artificially developed lettuce cultivar for enhancement of lactucin content, exhibits antioxidant activities and sleep-promoting effects. However, potential of Heukharang as a raw material for the skin-whitening agent has not been investigated yet. This study evaluated the effects of Heukharang extract (HHE) on α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo models. Our findings revealed that HHE (25–100 μg/mL) effectively inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis in both 2D and 3D cell culture environments without compromising the viability of the B16F10 murine melanoma cell line. Furthermore, HHE suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity, along with both gene and protein expression of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2. HHE downregulated the mRNA level of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein. The antimelanogenic activity of HHE (50 and 100 μg/mL) was also confirmed using a zebrafish embryo model, highlighting its efficacy in inhibiting α-MSH-induced melanogenesis through the downregulating CREB/MITF/TYR signaling pathways. Moreover, our study demonstrated that a corresponding amount of lactucin (5–20 μM) to the HHE inhibited and regulated melanogenesis. These results collectively suggest that HHE, enriched with lactucin, holds promise as a potential skin-whitening agent for nutricosmetic industries.

The Significance of Work Motivation: The Impact of Organizational Culture and Work Environment on Employee Performance

The objective of this study is to ascertain and examine the impact of Organizational Culture and Work Environment on Employee Performance, with Work Motivation serving as an intermediary factor. This study employs quantitative methodologies. The study sample included all individuals employed by the hospital. The study used a purposive sampling strategy, specifically targeting personnel who were neither general practitioners nor specialists. The whole study sample consisted of 130 participants. Statistical tests were conducted using path analysis with the SEM-PLS software 4. Source of information: Primary data was collected by the distribution of questionnaires, which were sent to and returned from 130 respondents. The findings of this study suggest that both Organizational Culture and Work Environment have a favorable and substantial direct impact on employee performance. Work has a favorable and substantial direct impact on motivation, and work motivation in turn exerts a favorable and substantial direct impact on employee performance. The impact of organizational culture on employee performance is mediated by motivation. This mediation is fully positive, as the indirect influence of organizational culture through motivation is greater than its direct influence. Similarly, the work environment affects performance through motivation, with the mediation being fully positive as well, as the direct influence is stronger. Given its limited indirect impact, it is desirable for Gresik Hospital to maintain and enhance a good corporate culture, while also striving to provide a favorable work environment that fosters motivation and ultimately maximizes employee performance.

Strategy for Reducing Employee Turnover Intention: The Influence of Organizational Culture and Work Environment as Mediated by Job Satisfaction

The research aims to analyze the influence of Organizational culture variables and Work environment variables on turnover intention variables, to analyze the influence of Organizational culture variables and Work environment variables on Job satisfaction variables and to analyze the influence of Organizational culture and Work environment on turnover intention with Job satisfaction as a mediating variable in PT Adhi Karya Manyar Smelter Gresik Project, The type of research used in this research is quantitative research. The population and sample in this study were employees of PT Adhi Karya Manyar Smelter Gresik Project, totaling 271 respondents. The research results show that Organizational culture and Work environment have a positive and significant influence on Turnover intention. Organizational culture has a positive and significant influence on job satisfaction, while work environment does not have a significant influence on job satisfaction. Job satisfaction has a positive and significant influence on turnover intention. Organizational culture has a significant influence on turnover intention through job satisfaction as mediation, but work environment does not have a significant influence on turnover intention through job satisfaction as mediation. From the research results of PT Adhi Karya Manyar Smelter Gresik Project, it is recommended to condition the organizational culture that is implemented, and provide or complete work facilities so that employees feel more at home at work, apart from that, increasing salaries or giving bonuses can also be done for employees to prevent turnover intention from increasing.

Effects of temperature and initial pH on the growth of four dominant cyanobacteria species in biological soil crusts.

Biological soil crusts are of great significance for environment health and sustainable development in arid and semi-arid areas. Cyanobacteria, Microcoleus vaginatus, Scytonema sp., Nostoc sp., and Anabaena sp. are the dominant species in microbial community of biological soil crusts worldwide. Considering their broad application prospect, it is meaningful to cultivate them extensively. We examined the effects of temperature (10, 20, 25, 30, 35 ℃) and initial pH (4, 6, 8, 10, 12) on biomass and solution pH towards the four species of cyanobacteria with liquid culture in laboratory. The results showed that the biomass of the four cyanobacterial species grew slowly under 20 ℃, and that all species could grow in 25-35 ℃, with the highest growth rate at 25 and 30 ℃. The optimum culture temperature of different cyanobacterial species was slightly different. The optimum culture temperature was 25-30 ℃ for Scytonema sp. and Nostoc sp., and 30 ℃ for M. vaginatus and Anabaena sp. The four cyanobacterial species had a strong ability to adjust solution pH and proliferate in five different initial pH conditions. The highest maximum biomass and specific growth rate were recorded in the culture environment with initial pH of 4, while the lowest maximum biomass and specific growth rate were observed in initial pH of 12. Our results would provide scientific basis for the propagation of dominant cyanobacteria in biological soil crusts.

Developing a Plan to Decrease Employee Turnover Intention by Focusing on the Impact of Organizational Culture and Work Environment, Using Job Satisfaction as a Mediator

The objective of this study is to analyse the factors that impact employee performance, namely the effect of remuneration and punishment, with satisfaction acting as a mediating factor. The study used a quantitative research methodology, focusing on a population of workers. The sample size consisted of 200 respondents. The research findings indicate that Compensation, Discipline, and Job Satisfaction have a direct and substantial effect on employee performance. Additionally, work discipline positively and significantly influences job satisfaction. However, Compensation does not have a positive and significant impact on Job Satisfaction. The mediation analysis demonstrates that employee satisfaction plays a crucial role in fully mediating the impact of compensation and discipline on employee performance. Therefore, in order to enhance performance, it is imperative to prioritise employee satisfaction in the workplace and also pay close attention to employee compensation and work discipline.

Engineering placental trophoblast fusion: A potential role for biomechanics in syncytialization

The process by which placental trophoblasts fuse to form the syncytiotrophoblast around the chorionic villi is not fully understood. Mechanical features of the in vivo and in vitro culture environments have recently emerged as having the potential to influence fusion efficiency, and considering these mechanical cues may ultimately allow predictive control of trophoblast syncytialization. Here, we review recent studies that suggest that biomechanical factors such as shear stress, tissue stiffness, and dimensionally-related stresses affect villous trophoblast fusion efficiency. We then discuss how these stimuli might arise in vivo and how they can be incorporated in cultures to study and enhance villous trophoblast fusion. We believe that this mechanical paradigm will provide novel insight into manipulating the syncytialization process to better engineer improved models, understand disease progression, and ultimately develop novel therapeutic strategies.