Cellpro Incorporated

Rui G Fei

Ronald Jay Berenson

Billy W Minshall

Shelly Heimfeld

Methods for increasing the number of human hematopoietic precursor cells in vitro are provided. The methods generally comprise (a) separating human hematopoietic precursor cells from mature hematopoietic cells present in a blood product; (b) inoculating the separated precursor cells into a culture vessel containing a culture medium comprising a nutritive medium and a source of growth factors at a density of between 1.times.10.sup.3 cells/ml and 4.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml; and (c) culturing the cells under conditions and for a time sufficient to increase the number of precursor cells relative to the number of such cells present in the blood product. The culture medium may also include a suitable amount of microcarrier beads. Suitable blood products include bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and peripheral blood. A device for carrying out such methods is also provided.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Rui G Fei