Systems and methods to expand hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) using zwitterionic hydrogels (ZTG) are described. Expansion using the disclosed systems and methods results in HSC populations with (i) an increased proportion of HSC versus partially or fully differentiated cells, (ii) proportionally lower cell surface expression levels of differentiation/maturation markers, (iii) reduced metabolic rates following expansion, and/or (iv) a greater proportion of quiescent cells following expansion, as compared to currently available clinical expansion methods.