Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue, growing cells on modified membranous tissue, and for transplantation of modified tissues and modified tissues with attached cells are provided. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on modified membranous tissue, and for modifying membranous tissue and growing cells on biodegradable polymer substrates. A method of modifying membranous tissues comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue with a contacting surface such as a stamp; other methods include mechanical ablation, photoablation, ion beam ablation, and modification of membranous tissues via the action of proteolytic enzymes.