Microcarriers for animal cell culture: a brief review of theory and practice.

Microcarrier beads for animal cell culture are considered in relation to aspects of cell adhesion and growth. Some "critical parameters" for a successful microcarrier are discussed, comparing currently available materials. The properties most critical for a successful microcarrier were closely fulfilled by the microcarrier CytodexTM 1 which has been used for the successful cultivation of more than 60 different cell types. Cytodex 1 has been used for the culture of primary cells, normal diploid cell strains and established or transformed cell lines in culture volumes ranging from a few millilitres to over 100 litres.