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Smart MCs Microcarriers for Scalable Cell Culture
TCS Biosciences supplies Smart MCs microcarriers designed to support scalable adherent cell culture, stem cell expansion, bioprocessing and advanced cell manufacturing. Available in xeno-free, biodegradable, dissolvable, non-dissolvable and edible formats, Smart MCs microcarriers offer a flexible solution for cell therapy, regenerative medicine, vaccine production and cultivated meat applications.
Key features
- Dissolvable microcarriers for simplified harvesting
- Customisable size, charge, surface chemistry and coatings
- Tuneable stiffness from 3-100 kPa
- Scalable adherent cell culture for bioreactors
- Xeno-free, biodegradable and animal component-free options
- Edible microcarriers for cultivated meat production
- High cell viability and recovery
- Growth factor incorporation capabilities
- GMP-grade microcarriers are manufactured in line with USP <1043> guidance for ancillary materials, supporting use in regulated cell culture and biomanufacturing
Microcarrier Product Range
P1 Microcarriers
A xeno-free synthetic microcarrier platform designed for efficient cell expansion.
Features
- Tuneable stiffness (3-100 kPa)
- Adjustable particle size
- Customisable surface charge and coatings
- Suitable for multiple adherent cell types
Applications
Stem cell expansion, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, vaccine production and bioprocess development.
P2 Microcarriers
A xeno-free digestible microcarrier designed to simplify harvesting and maximise cell recovery. P2 Microcarriers are also available with a xeno-free option.
Features
- Dissolvable using TrypLE™ or non-enzymatic buffers
- High cell recovery
- Reduced harvesting steps
- Suitable for large-scale manufacturing
- Dissolving Buffer can be used to accelerate the dissolution process as fast at 2 minutes
Applications
MSC and iPSC expansion, cell therapy manufacturing, viral vector production and bioreactor scale-up.
X1 Microcarriers
A gelatin-based microcarrier designed for high cell attachment and expansion.
Features
- Biodegradable and edible options
- Excellent cell attachment
- High expansion capability
Applications
Cultivated meat production, tissue engineering, stem cell culture and regenerative medicine.
Customisation Options
Smart MCs microcarriers can be tailored to specific cell culture requirements through:
- Stiffness (3-100 kPa)
- Particle size
- Surface charge
- Surface roughness and topography
- Coatings and attachment factors
- Xeno-free, biodegradable, dissolvable and edible materials
Selected microcarriers can also incorporate growth factors, cytokines and bioactive molecules for controlled release during culture.
Applications
Smart MCs microcarriers are suitable for:
- Stem cell expansion (MSCs, iPSCs and PSCs)
- Cell therapy manufacturing
- Vaccine production
- Viral vector and gene therapy workflows
- Tissue engineering
- Regenerative medicine
- Cultivated meat production
- Bioreactor scale-up and commercial manufacturing
Compatible Cell Types
- MSCs
- iPSCs and PSCs
- Fibroblasts
- Myoblasts
- Chondrocytes
- HEK cells
- CHO cells
- Hepatocytes
- Neural stem cells
Microcarriers for Cultivated Meat
The cultivated meat industry has increased demand for microcarriers, but current options have significant limitations. These limitations include high cost, typically over $2,000 per kg of meat, high cell loss rates of over 50%, and lack of edibility, as microcarriers may be made of non-food grade materials like plastic or glass, which can lead to particulates ending up in the final product. These limitations make current microcarriers unsuitable for the cultivated meat industry and require the development of new solutions that are cost-effective, efficient, and safe for consumption.
Limiting Factors with Scaled up Cell Culture
Scaling up cell culture can be challenging due to the limited surface area for cell growth. Traditional small-scale methods, such as plastic flasks, become impractical when attempting to grow cells on a large scale. Technologies like multi-layer flasks and cell factories can improve the surface area-to-volume ratio, but they are not scalable solutions. Bioreactors, which are large stirring tanks, offer a more efficient and automated solution for cell culture. However, these are not suitable for growing cells that require a substrate, such as adherent cells. To overcome this limitation, microcarriers have been developed to allow the growth of these types of cells in suspension in a bioreactor. Despite the challenges, advances in technology and research are helping to mitigate limitations and enable successful large-scale cell culture.
Further Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What are microcarriers?
Microcarriers are small particles that provide a growth surface for adherent cells in suspension culture, enabling scalable cell expansion in bioreactors.
Why use microcarriers?
Microcarriers provide significantly more growth surface area than traditional flasks, making large-scale cell culture more efficient.
What makes Smart MCs microcarriers different?
They offer extensive customisation, including tuneable stiffness, surface chemistry, charge and particle size, alongside xeno-free, dissolvable and edible options.
Are Smart MCs microcarriers suitable for bioreactors?
Yes, they are specifically designed for scalable adherent cell culture in stirred-tank bioreactor systems.
Can Smart MCs microcarriers improve cell recovery?
Yes. Dissolvable platforms such as P2 simplify harvesting and help reduce cell loss.
Are edible microcarriers available?
Yes. Selected Smart MCs microcarriers are available in edible and biodegradable formats for cultivated meat applications.
Discuss Your Microcarrier Requirements
Whether you are scaling stem cell culture, developing a cell therapy process or expanding adherent cells in bioreactors, TCS Biosciences can help identify the most suitable Smart MCs microcarrier solution for your application. Contact our team to discuss products, samples and customisation options.
Contact our team to discuss products, custom development projects and technical requirements.
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