| abstract |
Improved cell culture microcarriers, and methods for their production and use, are disclosed herein. These improved microcarriers have positive charge capacities adjusted and/or controlled within a range suitable for good cell growth. One method for producing such improved microcarriers is by treating beads formed from polymers containing pendant hydroxy groups, such as dextran beads, with an aqueous solution of an alkaline material and a chloro- or bromo-substituted tertiary amine under precisely controlled conditions to produce the desired exchange capacity. The resultant positively charged microcarriers have been used in microcarrier cultures to produce outstanding growth of anchorage-dependent cells. Such cells can be harvested, or used for the production of viruses, vaccines, hormones, interferon or other cellular growth by-products. |