The time is right for to highlight the importance of (bio)materials for 3D cell biology. Materials used in 3D cell biology are crucial for both in vitro and in vivo applications in diverse research fields such as tissue engineering and in vitro organ/tissue models development. More than ever, cell biology is benefitting from developments in materials science and related technologies to advance our basic understanding of cell biology and given rise to novel solutions for problems in diagnostics and therapeutics.