A method for growing bone cells. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for growing bone cells, comprising the steps of (a) anodizing a titanium substrate to form an array of titanium dioxide nanotubes on a surface of the titanium substrate, (b) subjecting the anodized titanium substrate to a radio frequency plasma discharge to chemically modify the array of titanium dioxide nanotubes formed on the surface of the titanium substrate, (c) seeding bone cells onto the surface of the titanium substrate that has an array of titanium dioxide nanotubes thereon after the subjecting step, and (d) incubating the seeded bone cells for a period of time effective for the cells to grow and proliferate.
