Patent ID: 7008634

Claim:
A method for growing eukaryotic cells comprising bringing into contact the cells with a composition comprising a biocompatible solid substrate, biocompatible polymeric tethers, and growth effector molecules, wherein one end of each tether is covalently linked to the substrate and one end is covalently linked to a growth effector molecule so that the growth effector molecule cannot be internalized by cells attached to the substrate; wherein the growth effector molecules are attached to the substrate in a concentration effective to enhance the rate of target cell growth over the rate of target cell growth with soluble growth effector molecules and growth effector molecules adsorbed to a substrate, without internalization of the molecules; and wherein the tether is covalently linked to the substrate and to the growth effector molecule by the same attachment agents, maintaining the cells in contact with the composition under conditions and for a time sufficient to cause the cells to grow.