Mechanobiology has emerged at the interface of cell biology, physics, engineering and computational biology. Five years after its establishment, the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI) at the National University of Singapore is now at the forefront of this field. The MBI brings together researchers from distinct disciplines, each with unique expertise, and encourages collaboration through an open-lab concept. The provision of cutting edge microscopy and microfabrication technologies enable the research to progress unhindered. The success of this unique research model is now evident, with MBI’s research translating to technological innovations and major breakthroughs in wound healing, stem cell differentiation and cancer diagnostics.