Cell growth and protein formation on various microcarriers

A large number of microcarriers are commercially available. The capability of cells to successfully proliferate on microcarriers varies with cell line s and media. Choosing the right microcarrier for a particular cell line is more than a choice of a microcarrier. It is part of an integrated process d esign. A detailed picture of cell growth and product formation will not onl y be essential in identifying the kind of microcarrier, but also in determi ning other parts of the process, such as operation mode and media. Our init ial screening on thirteen microcarriers showed that cultures on some microc arriers reached a low cell density but high cell-specific productivity, and high density microcarrier cultures have a low specific productivity. The r esult is a similar product output per unit volume and time for these two ty pes of cultures. An ideal culture system shall have increased volumetric pr oductivity at elevated cell density. This requires the process goal to be i ncorporated as early as cell line construction and screening. A high output process can then be realized through high density culture.