The present invention relates generally to methods for stimulating cells, and more particularly, to a novel method to concentrate and stimulate cells that maximizes stimulation and / or proliferation of such cells. In the various embodiments, cells are stimulated and concentrated with a surface yielding enhanced proliferation,
cell signal transduction, and / or
cell surface
moiety aggregation. In certain aspects methods for stimulating a
population of cells such as T-cells, by simultaneous concentration and
cell surface
moiety ligation are provided by contacting the
population of cells with a surface, that has attached thereto one or more agents that ligate a cell surface
moiety and applying a force that predominantly drives
cell concentration and cell surface moiety
ligation, thereby inducing
cell stimulation, cell surface moiety aggregation, and / or
receptor signaling enhancement. Also provided are methods for producing phenotypically tailored cells, including T-cells for the use in diagnostics,
drug discovery, and the treatment of a variety of indications, including
cancer,
viral infection, and immune related disorders. Compositions of cells having specific phenotypic properties produced by these processes are further provided.