The article reviews the use of synthetic nanotopography to control cell behavior and influence complex cellular processes, including stem cell differentiation and tissue organization. It discusses the interaction of mammalian cells with nanoscale topography, highlighting the role of nanotopography in cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and migration. The review also explores the potential of nanotopography in tissue engineering, including the fabrication of synthetic substrates and the integration of nanotopographic cues into three-dimensional scaffolds. Additionally, it examines the mechanisms underlying cell-nanotopography interactions, such as anisotropic stress generation and the role of small GTPases. The authors emphasize the importance of further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop more comprehensive predictive models of cell-nanotopography interactions.The article reviews the use of synthetic nanotopography to control cell behavior and influence complex cellular processes, including stem cell differentiation and tissue organization. It discusses the interaction of mammalian cells with nanoscale topography, highlighting the role of nanotopography in cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and migration. The review also explores the potential of nanotopography in tissue engineering, including the fabrication of synthetic substrates and the integration of nanotopographic cues into three-dimensional scaffolds. Additionally, it examines the mechanisms underlying cell-nanotopography interactions, such as anisotropic stress generation and the role of small GTPases. The authors emphasize the importance of further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop more comprehensive predictive models of cell-nanotopography interactions.