A cell culture assembly and a method for culturing cells that provide mechanical stimulation to cells. The cell culture assembly can include a flow chamber positioned in a fluid path and a support comprising cells positioned within the flow chamber to expose the cells to the fluid path. The cell culture assembly can further include a means for producing a steady flow of fluid in the fluid path, and a means for producing an oscillatory flow of fluid in the fluid path simultaneously with producing the steady flow of fluid in the fluid path to mechanically stimulate the cells. The method can include transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially steady flow rate, and transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially oscillatory flow rate simultaneously with transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially steady flow rate.