..................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Background and Rationale.......................................................................................... 9 1.2 Mechanotransduction ................................................................................................10 1.3 Bioreactors as In Vitro Models ...................................................................................11 1.4 Description of Cell Culture .........................................................................................13 1.5 Project Scope ............................................................................................................14 Chapter 2: Proliferative and Morphological Changes Accompanying In Vitro Mechanical Stimulation ................................................................................................................................16 2.