Es Cell International Pte Ltd

Other

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Robert Zweigerdt

Xiuqin Xu

Bruce Paul Davidson

Christine Lindsay Mummery

Ralph Eberhard Graichen

William Sun

Steve Oh

Shaul Reuveny

Allen Chen

Andre Choo

Marti Lecina

Ralph Eberard Graichen

The present invention provides a process of differentiating stem cells, in particular hES cells, into cardiomyocytes and into neural progenitors by growing the hES cells in the presence of a defined medium that is substantially free of xeno- and serum-components and thus comprises a clinically compliant medium. The defined media comprises defined factors that contribute to the promotion of differentiation to cardiomyocytes and neural progenitors. The invention also includes defined culture media and cell populations and methods of using them.

Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells with a kinase inhibitor or PGI2

The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), Fgf 9, Bmp6, Bmp4, Scf, Igf2, and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. Genes that are upregulated in the process of cardiomyocyte differentiation are also provided.

Direct differentiation of cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells

We disclose a particle comprising a matrix coated thereon and having a positive charge, the particle being of a size to allow aggregation of primate or human stem cells attached thereto. The particle may comprise a substantially elongate, cylindrical or rod shaped particle having a longest dimension of between 50 &#x3bc;m and 400 &#x3bc;m, such as about 200 &#x3bc;m. It may have a cross sectional dimension of between 20 &#x3bc;m and 30 &#x3bc;m. The particle may comprise a substantially compact or spherical shaped particle having a size of between about 20 &#x3bc;m and about 120 &#x3bc;m, for example about 65 &#x3bc;m. We also disclose a method of propagating primate or human stem cells, the method comprising: providing first and second primate or human stem cells attached to first and second respective particles, allowing the first primate or human stem cell to contact the second primate or human stem cell to form an aggregate of cells and culturing the aggregate to propagate the primate or human stem cells for at least one passage. A method of propagating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in long term suspension culture using microcarriers coated in Matrigel or hyaluronic acid is also disclosed. We also disclose a method for differentiating stem cells.

Microcarriers for stem cell culture

The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Prostacyclin directed differentiation of cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Robert Zweigerdt