the present invention relates to a biomaterial for cell or tissue culture , based on a polymeric carrier , which contains at least one crosslinkable hydrophilic polymer . the polymer is functionalized with groups that are selected from maleimide , vinylsulfonic , acrylate , alkyl halide , azirine , pyridyl , thionitrobenzene acid groups , or arylating groups . the invention relates further to a method of production of said biomaterial , and the use of particular functionalizing groups for the production of a biomaterial for the cultivation of tissue and / or cells . the biomaterial can have biofactors that exert a particular action on cells .