the present invention relates to the use of 3 - dimensional synthetic or animal - derived bioscaffolds as substrates for the improved growth and differentiation of hps ; these scaffolds being adapted for use in conjunction with existing cell culture lab plastic - ware . more specifically , it relates to the seeding of these scaffolds , either alone or in conjunction with various biologic matrix coatings , with hps cells for the improved differentiation of said hps cells into hepatocyte or hepatocyte - like cell types . the invention also relates to the seeding of partially - differentiated hepatocyte progenitors onto scaffolds for further differentiation into more mature hepatocyte - cell types .