Development of high-density cultivation systems by bioencapsulation

Encapsulation of living cells within the confines of an enveloping material permits very high local cell densities to be achieved. Methodologies for b ioencapsulation include liquid-based jet methods, drop techniques and emuls ification. This review addresses the selection of suitable encapsulating ma terial, enumerates polymers used in capsule formation and considers the sig nificance of encapsulating eukaryotic cells. The importance of cell death a s a factor limiting productivity of cell culture methods is emphasized.