Evaluation of solid and porous microcarriers for cell growth and production of recombinant proteins

Microcarrier technology opened new perspectives for anchorage-dependent cell culture, by providing increased surface areas for cell adhesion and proliferation, and therefore improving both cell and product yields obtained in these cultures. The establishment of a successful microcarrier culture depends on many factors, such as the type of microcarrier, the cells, and the culture conditions. In this chapter, the basic steps required for the evaluation and optimization of a microcarrier culture for the purpose of production of recombinant proteins are described, for both solid and porous microcarriers.