Hydrogels capable of supporting cell growth

Claim 1

A method of growing anchorage-dependent cells, comprising: a. forming an aqueous solution containing: (1) a hydrophilic monomer in an amount which will, upon polymerization and crosslinking, produce a three-dimensional polymer network sufficient to gel said aqueous solution thereby forming a hydrogel; and (2) a macromolecule capable of supporting cell growth, said macromolecule being present in an amount sufficient to support cell growth on said hydrogel; b. polymerizing and crosslinking said hydrophilic monomer to thereby form a hydrogel which spports cell growth; c. introducing said hydrogel into a vessel as a substrate therein for attachment of said anchorage-dependent cells; d. adding cell culture medium to said vessel; inoculating anchorage-dependent cells into said vessel to form a cell culture therein; and f. maintaining said cell culture under conditions conducive to cell attachment and growth.

Claim 2

A method of growing anchorage-dependent cells, comprising: a. forming an aqueous solution containing: (1) a hydrophilic monomer in an amount which will, upon polymerization and crosslinking, produce a three-dimensional polymer network sufficient to gel said aqueous solution thereby forming a hydrogel; and (2) a macromolecule capable of supporting cell growth, said macromolecule being present in an amount sufficient to support cell growth on said hydrogel; b. polymerizing and crosslinking said hydrophilic monomer to thereby form a hydrogel which spports cell growth; c. introducing said hydrogel into a vessel as a substrate therein for attachment of said anchorage-dependent cells; d. adding cell culture medium to said vessel; inoculating anchorage-dependent cells into said vessel to form a cell culture therein; and f. maintaining said cell culture under conditions conducive to cell attachment and growth.