Abstract: A method for supporting the in vitro growth of one or more eukaryotic cell type(s), the method comprising; seeding cells of said cell type(s) onto particles comprising basement membrane or a basement membrane-like substrate, and culturing said seeded cells in vitro under conditions suitable for expansion of said seeded cells, wherein said particles are less than about 500 ?m in size.

Abstract: Methods for treating diseased or damaged tissue in a subject are disclosed, involving administering to said subject at a site wherein diseased or damaged tissue occurs, cells of a type(s) normally found in healthy tissue corresponding to the diseased or damaged tissue, and/or suitable progenitor cells thereof, in association with bioresorbable beads or particles and optionally a gel and/or gel-forming substance. Where the cells and/or suitable progenitor cells thereof are chondrocytes, embryonic stem cells and/or bone marrow stromal cells, the methods of the invention are suitable for treating, for example, articular cartilage degeneration associated with primary osteoarthritis.