Table 2. Characteristics and bioprocess yields of the 3D strategy and the standard 2D protocols.
| 2D Strategy(colonies culture) | 3D Strategy(microencapsulated cells-microcarriers) | |
| Culture system | Adherent, Static(well plates, Petri dishes) | Suspension, Stirred(Stirred tank bioreactors, spinner vessels) |
| Ease of monitorization | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of handling | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of scale-up | No | Yes |
| Time- and space- consuming | Yes | No |
| Reproducibility | Low | High |
| Mimicry stem cells' native microenvironment | No | Yes |
| Affordability | Yes | costs associated to encapsulation equipment/process and material (microcarriers, hydrogels) |
| Expansion ratios | 11 [7] | 20 |
| Maximum Cell Concentration (×106 cell/mL) | 0.2 [7] | 3 |
| Cell survival after cryopreservation (slow freezing rate) | <20% [5] | >70% |