We present a new approach for biomass assessment in cell culture using a disposable microcentrifuge tube. The specially designed tube is fitted with an upper chamber for sample loading and a lower 5 mu L capillary for cell collection during centrifugation. The resulting packed cell volume (PCV) can be quantitatively expressed as the percentage of the total volume of the sample. The present study focused on the validation of the method with mammalian cell lines that are widely used in bioprocessing. Using several examples, the PCV method was shown to be more precise, rapid, and reproducible than manual cell counting. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.