Objective. Evaluate viability of HeLa cells (a cervical cancer cell line) in the presence of an aluminumcarboxymethyl cellulose (Al-CMC) complex. Background. Cell scaffolds and drug delivery platforms are being developed from gelled hydrocolloids such as CMC. Therefore, cell sensitivity to the components of such systems should be thoroughly investigated. Methods. Using a bead generator, a 1% aqueous solution of sodium CMC was extruded into 50mL of 5% w/v aluminum chloride hexahydrate, forming chelated Al-CMC beads of varying diameters. After 15 minutes, the beads were extracted and triple washed with distilled water. 30 × 104 of HeLa cells were suspended and fed in a growth medium containing DMEM, 10% fetal calf serum, and antibiotics. Cells were then plated in a flat bottom 24-well plate, and allowed to adhere for 4-5 hours. Cells were then exposed to 30 mg of beads and incubated at 37°C in 5% CO2 for 48 hours. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay; absorbance measured at 570nm. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA. Results. In the presence of beads with diameter 0.05, 2.20, 2.72, or 3.5mm, cell viability was 81.0 ± 0.01, 77.6 ± 0.13, 64.9 ± 0.08, and 75.4 ± 0.29% (mean ± SD, n = 4) respectively. Conclusion. When compared to control, cell viability was overall decreased by approximately 25%. Cytotoxicity was size-independent over the size ranges studied. 57 Research is ongoing to evaluate if cytotoxicity is predominantly due to the polysaccharide, cation, or the joined complex. Grant # 335525