Microcarrier
Encyclopedia
A microcarrier is a support matrix allowing for the growth of adherent cells in bioreactor
s.
In 1967, microcarrier development began when van Wezel found that microcarriers could support the growth of anchorage-dependent cells.[1] Microcarriers are typically 125 - 250 micrometre spheres and their density allows them to be maintained in suspension with gentle stirring. Microcarriers can be made from a number of different materials including DEAE-dextran, glass, polystyrene
plastic, acrylamide
, and collagen, and these microcarrier materials, along with different surface chemistries, can influence cellular behavior, including morphology and proliferation.[2-5] Surface chemistries can include extracellular matrix proteins, recombinant proteins, peptides, and positively or negatively charged molecules.
Microcarriers are regularly used to grow protein-producing or virus-generating adherent cell populations in the large-scale commercial production of biologics
(proteins) and vaccines.
Microcarrier cell culture
is typically carried out in spinner flasks, although other vessels such as rotating wall microgravity bioreactors or fluidized bed bioreactors can also support microcarrier-based cultures. The advantages of microcarrier technology in the vaccine industry include (a) ease of scale-up, (b) ability to precisely control cell growth conditions in sophisticated, computer-controlled bioreactors, (c) an overall reduction in the floor space and incubator volume required for a given-sized manufacturing operation, and (d) a drastic reduction in technician labor.
Several types of microcarriers are available commercially including dextran-based (Cytodex, GE Healthcare
), collagen-based (Cultispher, Percell), and polystyrene
-based (SoloHill Engineering) microcarriers. They differ in their porosity, specific gravity, optical properties, presence of animal components, and surface chemistries.
Bioreactor
A bioreactor may refer to any manufactured or engineered device or system that supports a biologically active environment. In one case, a bioreactor is a vessel in which a chemical process is carried out which involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms. This...
s.
In 1967, microcarrier development began when van Wezel found that microcarriers could support the growth of anchorage-dependent cells.[1] Microcarriers are typically 125 - 250 micrometre spheres and their density allows them to be maintained in suspension with gentle stirring. Microcarriers can be made from a number of different materials including DEAE-dextran, glass, polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene ) also known as Thermocole, abbreviated following ISO Standard PS, is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry...
plastic, acrylamide
Acrylamide
Acrylamide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula C3H5NO. Its IUPAC name is prop-2-enamide. It is a white odourless crystalline solid, soluble in water, ethanol, ether, and chloroform. Acrylamide is incompatible with acids, bases, oxidizing agents, iron, and iron salts...
, and collagen, and these microcarrier materials, along with different surface chemistries, can influence cellular behavior, including morphology and proliferation.[2-5] Surface chemistries can include extracellular matrix proteins, recombinant proteins, peptides, and positively or negatively charged molecules.
Microcarriers are regularly used to grow protein-producing or virus-generating adherent cell populations in the large-scale commercial production of biologics
Biologics
A biologic is a medicinal product such as a vaccine, blood or blood component, allergenic, somatic cell, gene therapy, tissue, recombinant therapeutic protein, or living cells that are used as therapeutics to treat diseases...
(proteins) and vaccines.
Microcarrier cell culture
Cell culture
Cell culture is the complex process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions. In practice, the term "cell culture" has come to refer to the culturing of cells derived from singlecellular eukaryotes, especially animal cells. However, there are also cultures of plants, fungi and microbes,...
is typically carried out in spinner flasks, although other vessels such as rotating wall microgravity bioreactors or fluidized bed bioreactors can also support microcarrier-based cultures. The advantages of microcarrier technology in the vaccine industry include (a) ease of scale-up, (b) ability to precisely control cell growth conditions in sophisticated, computer-controlled bioreactors, (c) an overall reduction in the floor space and incubator volume required for a given-sized manufacturing operation, and (d) a drastic reduction in technician labor.
Several types of microcarriers are available commercially including dextran-based (Cytodex, GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare is a division of GE Technology Infrastructure, which is itself a division of General Electric . It employs more than 46,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. GE Healthcare is the first GE business segment to be headquartered...
), collagen-based (Cultispher, Percell), and polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene ) also known as Thermocole, abbreviated following ISO Standard PS, is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry...
-based (SoloHill Engineering) microcarriers. They differ in their porosity, specific gravity, optical properties, presence of animal components, and surface chemistries.