the invention features a method for the selection and expansion of bone marrow stromal cells . the method includes the steps of obtaining bone marrow stromal cells ; introducing the stromal cells into a vessel pre - coated on an inner surface with a gelatin , and containing a culture medium including an acidic fibroblast growth factor polypeptide ; and expanding the stromal cells in the culture medium under conditions and for a time sufficient to obtain an increased number of bone marrow stromal cells . the culture medium additionally can include heparin , and the vessel additionally can be precoated with fetal bovine serum .