Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cell culture (9) of human or animal cells, in particular mammalian cells, for the purpose of carrying out medical or pharmacological assays. According to the invention, the method comprises at least the following steps: inserting a substrate (3) of microbially produced cellulose into a vessel (1); introducing a nutrient solution (2) into the vessel (1); applying human or animal cells (4) to the substrate (3); conditioning the vessel contents to approximately body temperature; and waiting until the substrate (3) is completely covered by a cell lawn (5), i.e. confluence has been reached. Medical or pharmacological assays can then be carried out on the cell culture (9) thus produced.