Biological cells stick together via transmembrane proteins, which are linked to receptor molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This specific biochemical adhesion plays a leading role in many cellular processes, among them cell differentiation, morphogenesis, and wound healing. Various medical applications require endogen cells to bind to an exogene substrate as in the case of an implant. Coatings with proteins that naturally belong to the ECM are known to enhance the cell adhesion. However, the choice of inorganic materials, which promote cell adhesion, is limited. Here, we report on a new engineered surface composed of Al/Al2O3 bi-phasic nanowires (NWs), which promotes the adhesion of fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts grow well on this inorganic layer and keep proliferating. Using the cell monolayer rheology (CMR) technique, we show that the adhesion of fibroblasts on Al/Al2O3 NWs is comparable to fibronectin coated surfaces. To our knowledge, this is one of the strongest cell adhesions on an inorganic surface, which has been reported on so far, since it compares to bio-organic layers such as fibronectin. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.