Innovative dissolvable microcarriers for adherent cell culturing

Dear Followers,

In today’s newsletter, we take a deep dive into our latest collaboration with IamFluidics , a leader in microparticle innovation. Read on to explore the challenges of cell culturing and discover the benefits of our novel?research grade dissolvable microcarriers for adherent cell culturing...

The challenges of cell culturing

Adherent cell culturing faces several challenges, including:

• Low scalability: Traditional methods are labor-intensive and difficult to scale.
• Low cell yield: Conventional non-dissolvable microcarriers require aggressive detachment methods and typically suffer from up to 50% cell loss due to inefficient harvesting.
• Insufficient batch-to-catch consistency: Variability in culture conditions, contamination risks, and manual handling can reduce reproducibility.

Although non-dissolvable microcarriers have improved cell culturing efficiency, several limitations remain. The detachment process, involving chelating agents, proteases, and mechanical forces, often damages cells. In contrast, dissolvable microcarriers address these challenges by simplifying cell recovery and enhancing overall yield.

New dissolvable microcarriers: a game changer for adherent cell growth

Our novel dissolvable microcarrier, jointly developed by Rousselot and IamFluidics and launched in November 2024, is produced using IamFluidics’ patented IN-AIR MICROFLUIDICS? technology. It consists of alginate-based microcarriers, coated with Rousselot’s denatured collagen, which comes with documentation supporting ISO 22442 compliance, including a virus-inactivation study.

The new microcarrier offers the following advantages:

• Enhanced surface area for cell growth: The dissolvable microcarriers provide a significantly larger surface area (up to 2200 cm2/g, wet) than traditional flat (2D) cultures, allowing for high-density cell cultures in compact volumes. This feature is particularly beneficial for scaling up operations in bioreactors.

• Superior cell attachment: Denatured collagen coatings promote rapid cellular adhesion, achieving over 95% attachment within 24 hours.

• Optimized growth and bead-to-bead transfer: The design facilitates efficient cell expansion and bead-to-bead transfer, streamlining upscaling processes in bioreactor systems.

• High yield and viability post-harvest: Dissolution of the microcarriers within ~15 minutes using standard dissociation agents (e.g., EDTA/trypsin or TrypLE?) ensures a cell harvesting efficiency exceeding 90%, with over 95% cell viability.

• Documentation and traceability: The microcarrier coating of?pharmaceutical-grade denatured collagen comes with documentation supporting ISO 22442 compliance, including viral safety, fostering confidence for both academic use and industrial applications.

The integration of IamFluidics’ innovative technology with Rousselot’s unmatched collagen expertise sets new standards for high yield, cost-effective, scalable solutions for cell-based products and therapies, with the potential to accelerate clinical translation.

If you’d like to continue the conversation to optimize your next cell culture workflow, get in touch with us. Our global network of experts offers personalized guidance in selecting the right materials and streamlining developmental processes. Contact us to learn more.

Buy research or technical grade microcarriers online today

For research-grade or technical-grade dissolvable microcarriers, visit our online store at www.microparticles.shop. Packaging options include 1 g and 10 g, with larger quantities available upon request. Please contact Rousselot directly for large quantities of 100 g or more.

2024 has been marked by significant collaborations for the Rousselot Biomedical team:

• March: We proudly announced that our high-quality, research and technical grade gelatins became available for direct, online purchase through BIO INX.com. BIO INX is a leading innovator in the development and distribution of materials for 3D bioprinting.
• September: We entered a co-branding agreement with xolo, a German company specializing in 3D printing for research and medical applications. This partnership integrates Rousselot's X-Pure? GelMA solution into xolo's ready-to-use bioinks for volumetric 3D printers, offering enhanced capabilities for medical and scientific advancements.
• November: We launched our novel research grade dissolvable microcarriers for adherent cell culturing with IamFluidics.

These partnerships reflect our commitment to innovation and collaboration in advancing biomedical solutions and we’re looking forward to seeing more customers benefit from our advanced collagen and gelatin solutions in 2025!

The Rousselot Biomedical Team

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Further information about cell culturing and microcarriers:

What is adherent cell culturing?

Adherent cell culture is a technique that facilitates the growth, expansion, and harvesting of cells requiring surface adhesion. It is used in many industries, including biologics production, regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and cultivated meat or fish production. Unlike suspension cells, adherent cells require a substrate to attach and proliferate. Traditional 2D culturing techniques, such as flask-based systems, offer limited scalability and process efficiency.

What are microcarriers for adherent cell culturing?

Microcarriers are small spherical particles (100–500 μm in diameter) designed to support the adhesion and growth of adherent cells. Once cells adhere to their surface, microcarriers are suspended in a three-dimensional environment, such as a bioreactor or stirred flask, to facilitate cell proliferation. The high surface area-to-volume ratio of microcarriers enables the cultivation of large cell populations within compact volumes, making them highly scalable and suitable for industrial applications such as antibody and vaccine production. The 3D suspension culture allows for process intensification and automation, surpassing the capabilities of traditional 2D systems.