Ascendia Ab

Tomas Lundin

Per M&aring;nsson

Christer Busch

A medium is disclosed for embedding and preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0&deg; C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification, comprising an aqueous solution of at least one water-soluble cellulose derivative and, optionally, an osmotic pressure stabilizing agent. A method for preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0&deg; C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification using the above medium is also disclosed.

DNA-embedding medium and method of use

A method for stimulating pancreatic cells to synthesize and/or excrete insulin comprises contacting insulin-producing cells, in particular their aqueous suspension, with a water-soluble cellulose derivative, in particular selected from alkylated, hydroxyalkylated, and alkylated-hydroxyalkylated cellulose or a mixture thereof. A medium for the culture of pancreatic &bgr;-cells contains an effective cell-stimulating amount of a cellulose derivative. It can be used to stimulate pancreatic &bgr;-cells to produce and/or excrete insulin. An apparatus for such stimulation comprises a container holding a solution of a cellulose derivative in an aqueous culture medium. Stimulation of pancreatic &bgr;-cells by a cellulose derivative is useful in the management of diabetes. Further preservative or therapeutic methods using the aqueous cellulose derivatives are disclosed.

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Enkoping, Sweden

Tomas Lundin