Objective To observe the biocompatibility of bacterial cellulose and Schwann cells during in vitro co-culture, so as to lay a foundation for preparing tissue-engineered nerve with bacterial cellulose. Methods The bacterial cellulose was co-cultured with the dorsal root ganglion. The morphology, proliferation, and migration of the Schwann cells were examined by scanning electron microscope and optical microscope at day 1, 2, and 5, and the protein expression of S-100 was detected by immunocytochemical method. Schwann cells were also cultivated in the leach liquor of bacterial cellulose, and then optical microscope and immunocytochemical were used to observe the morphology and S-100 protein expression after 24, 48 and 72 hours; MTT and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the biocompatibility of the bacterial cellulose and Schwann cells. Results Schwann cells could grow and migrate on the surface of bacterial cellulose's membrane. The Schwann cell growth, proliferation and S-100 expression were not significantly affected by the leach liquor of bacterial cellulose as compared with the control group. Conclusion Schwann cells can grow well on the surface of the bacterial cellulose membrane and in its leach liquor, suggesting good biocompatibility with bacterial cellulose in vitro.