Microcarrier cell culture: new methods for research-scale application.

A positive-charge-carrying, dextran microsphere has been developed which serves as an excellent surface for the attachment and growth of anchorage-dependent cells in microcarrier culture. With standard cell culture media, saturation cell concentrations in excess of 4 X 10(6) cells/ml are routinely obtained for secondary chicken embryo fibroblasts or normal diploid human fibroblasts. The use of microcarriers reduces the time, expense, and apparatus complexity required for the routine propagation of anchorage-dependent cells.