The present invention relates to a method for cell culture, more precisely small scale cell culture. In the present invention a screening tool is used which comprises particulate matter or microcarriers, such as beads, attached to a solid support, such as a microtiter plate, for the cultivation of cells on said microcarriers. The microcarriers are preferably cultivation beads, such as CYTODEX™. According to the invention, this small scale format for cell cultivation may be used for any testing involving cells, for example testing of optimal growth conditions for a specific type of cell, such as stem cells. Another use is cell expansion.