Immobilisation of anchorage-independent animal cells using reticulated polyvinyl formal resin biomass support particles

Summary Immobilisation of anchorage-independent animal cells using Biomas Support Particles (BSPs) was investigated. Mouse myeloma MPC-11 cells were physically entrapped in three-dimensional reticulated polyvinyl formal (PVF) resin PSPs (3×3×3 mm) with matrices of relatively small pores (30–100 m) by filtering medium containing cells or incubating in a shake flask for inoculation. Physically entrapped cells became immobilised in the BSPs by forming aggregates within the matrices of the reticulated PVF resin, and cell density in the BSPs reached at least 10⁷ cells/cm³ BSP. Immobilised cells in the BSPs were successfully cultivated in static and/or shake-flask cultures with regular replacement of medium for a long period.