Geron Corporation

Cell Genesys, Inc.

John M Irving

Michael Mok

Joseph D Gold

Ramkumar Mandalam

Ralph Brandenberger

Lawrence W Stanton

Flavia Borellini

Kenneth Ho

This disclosure provides a system for qualifying embryonic stem cells intended for human therapy. A large-scale sequencing project has identified important markers that are characteristic of undifferentiated pluripotent cells. Combinations of these markers can be used to validate the self-renewing capacity of ES cells, and their ability to differentiate into tissue types suitable for regenerative medicine. The marker system of this invention has been used to screen feeder cells, media additives, and culture conditions that promote proliferation of stem cells without differentiation. A culture system optimized by following these markers is suitable for rapid expansion of undifferentiated cells from existing lines, or the derivation of new lines that are equally apposite for clinical use.

Marker system for preparing and characterizing high-quality human embryonic stem cells

Detection of members of a conserved, dispersed gene family is used to ascertain levels of host cell genomic DNA in a sample.

Quantitative assay of host cell DNA in a sample

Growing community of inventors

San Mateo, CA, United States of America

John M Irving