Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cell expansion. In the method, preferably a cell culture product is used, such as a microcarrier, or other adherent cell culture surface, comprising degradable polysaccharide, preferably starch, modified with small molecular weight cell-binding ligands. This allows recovery (detachment) of adhered cells to be aided by degradation of the culture surface with enzymatic agents, such as amylase. The method for cell expansion comprises the following steps: a) adding cells, culture medium and cell culture surface comprising a degradable polysaccharide with guanidine group containing ligands to a bioreactor; b) expanding said cells by adherent cell culture; and c) aiding the detachment of said cells by exposing them to a polysaccharidase to degrade the culturing surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product for cell culture. In particular, the invention relates to a cell growth surface having a coating comprising an animal protein free coating. The coating is derived from an enzymatic hydrolysate of a plant protein, preferably soy peptone. The cell culture product is preferably a microcarrier intended for culture of any anchorage-dependent cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of adherent cell culture. More closely, the invention relates to a method for production of a cell attachment and culture surface, such as a microcarrier, comprising a guanidino-containing ligand, wherein the ligand is coupled via reaction involving a primary amine to the surface which is activated by activation groups such that the final molar ratio of grafted ligand and ungrafted activation groups is above 1.5. Preferably, the ligand density is above 0.5 mmol/g cell culture surface and the remaining activation groups after coupling is less than 0.6 mmol/g cell culture surface. The cell culture surface may be used for various purposes, primarily cell cultivation and virus production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcarrier onto the surface of which a cationic compound has been immobilised via a guanidine group. The microcarrier is capable of attachment of cells, e.g. via charge-based interaction, and is advantageously used as a support in the culture of cells. Said compound may comprise one or two amino acids, such as arginine (Arg) or a dipeptide. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a polycationic microcarrier, which method comprises to immobilise a compound that comprises at least one guanidine group to an epoxide-activated substrate.