Endothelial cell layers from umbilical cords were grown on methylated silica surfaces. Fluorescence microscopy showed this layer to be confluent and to consist of living cells. Initial ellipsometry measurements were performed to illustrate both the stability of the model surface in ellipsometry measurements and the Ca2+-dependent binding of lipoproteins at the cell-based substrate. The present substrate holds promise as a model substrate for in vitro investigations of lipoprotein deposition at the endothelium surface under close to in vivo conditions.