Abstract: The invention provides a substrate for cell culture comprising a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises —a homopolymer formed from a monomer of formula (Ia) or (Ib); —a copolymer formed from one or more monomers of formula (Ia) and/or (Ib); or —a copolymer formed from one or more monomers of formula (Ia) and/or (Ib), and comprising HEMA; wherein formula (Ia) comprises: (Formula (Ia)) wherein R1 is a C8-C12 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group, for example a C8-C10 straight or branched chain alkyl group, which may optionally be substituted; and R2 is selected from H and C1-4 alkyl; and wherein formula (Ib) comprises: (Formula (Ib)) wherein R3 is a 6-12 membered ring, for example a 6-8 membered ring, which is a cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group, and which may optionally be substituted; L is a divalent linker group selected from —NH—, —CH2—, and —O—; R4 is a C1-8 organic group, for example a C1-C6 organic group, wherein this group comprises at least one moiety selected from C?O,