Beijing University of Technology

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Edouard Guy Stanley

Leonard Charles Harrison

Andrew George Elefanty

Fang-Xu Jiang

Leonel Jorge Gonez

Elizabeth Siewsun Ng

A serum-free media composition for maintenance or directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) toward particular cell lineages is disclosed. The media comprises one or more cell nutrient media, a recombinant human albumin or equivalent thereof and optionally at least one agent involved in HESC differentiation. The media composition is substantially free of any human or animal derived products.

Cell culture media

The present invention relates generally to growth factors and more particularly to growth factors which are capable of stimulating or otherwise facilitating formation of insulin-secreting cells. The identification of these growth factors permits the development of protocols to culture cells in vitro for transplantation into mammalian and in particular human subjects with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes or related conditions. It is further contemplated that the endogenous expression of growth factors required for the development of insulin-producing cells may be manipulated in vivo, by the appropriate administration of agents including genetic agents capable of regulating the expression of growth factors in pancreatic duct epithelial cells. The growth factors ray also be administered to subjects with type 1 diabetes to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pancreatic cells into insulin-secreting cells. The present invention also provides modulators of growth factor-mediated pancreatic cell differentiation. Such modulators are useful in the treatment inter alia of &#x3b2; cell tumors and/or pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic islet cell growth factors

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Ascot Vale, Australia

Edouard Guy Stanley