Cell culture surfaces having hydrogel supported proteins

A method for treating a polymeric surface to define a cell culture surface for culturing mesenchymal stem cells or human embryonic stem cells thereon, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) coating the polymeric surface with a hydrogel consisting essentially of dextran, wherein said step of coating includes the steps of:
• i) depositing functional groups on said polymeric surface;
• wherein said functional groups are amines and
• ii) exposing said functional groups to a solution of hydrogel;
• and
• b) attaching proteins to said hydrogel coated surface;
• wherein said step of attaching proteins to said hydrogel-coated surface includes the steps of:
• i) activating said hydrogel-coated surface to produce at least one protein reactive group;
• and
• ii) exposing said hydrogel-coated surface to a solution of proteins or protein mixtures comprising human fibronectin and human collagen;
• and
• wherein said proteins or protein mixtures are covalently attached to the hydrogel-coated surface, thereby producing the cell culture surface for culturing mesenchymal stem cells or embryonic stem cells thereon wherein mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in greater number as compared to a cell culture surface formed by passive coating of said proteins and wherein human embryonic stem cells are cultured in an undifferentiated state.