Abstract: A method is provided for preparing an aligned cell population comprising the culturing one or more cells on a surface having a texture, which texture has an average height of from about 100 nanometers to about 5 micrometers, thereby forming an aligned cell population on the textured surface. Also provided is a method to prepare the surface which method comprises the steps of: a) depositing a metal onto an unstressed or pre-stressed thermoplastic material; b) reducing the surface area of the receptive material by at least about 60%; and c) preparing the surface via lithography.