Cell suspension separation method

The invention relates to a method for the separation of suspended cells comprising the steps of discharging a volume of a cell suspension from a bioreactor, applying the volume to a separation device, separating the cells from the suspending liquid, quenching the separated cells in the separation device at a temperature in the range of 100 to -60°C and discharging said quenched and separated cells from the separation device, wherein the separation and quenching steps are conducted in a common step. The quenching ensures most of the metabolic processes within the cells are stopped. The separation device may be a filtration means and the separation and quenching steps may be achieved with a chilled wash solution. The separated cells, which may be animal or insect cells, may be subsequently quick frozen.