This disclosure relates to compositions comprising ascorbic acid and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) for growing cells and making tissues. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of creating cardio-mimetic tissues (CMTs) by culturing the cells in the presence of ascorbic acid and bone morphogenetic protein 4 and optionally inserting into cells a muscle specific microRNA or related nucleobase polymer and under conditions such that a cardio-mimetic tissue is formed that is capable of spontaneously contracting.