Human CD3/CD28 T cell activated magnetic beads can quickly and easily activate and expand T cells without the need for feeder cells (antigen-presenting cells) or antigens. The magnetic beads are inert superparamagnetic beads with a diameter of 5 µm, similar in size to antigen-presenting cells, and covalently coupled to anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. Recombinant human IL-2 can be used to stimulate T cell population expansion during cell culture. After activation or amplification, the magnetic beads can be easily removed by the magnetic rack.