Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising stem cells and partially committed progenitor cells and to methods of controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, which can be used for expansion of stem cells and their subsequent differentiation. The present invention provides expanded population of essentially undifferentiated stem cells, which are useful in clinical procedures involving stem cell therapy, and a population derived thereof of which at least part of the cells are differentiated. The cells can be used per se, as a part of a cell-bearing composition comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid-laminin gels or as a part of a composite implant for tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention concerns cohesive biopolymer gels comprising coprecipitates of sulfated polysaccharides and fibrillar proteins, exemplified by coprecipitates of dextran sulfate and gelatin, useful for clinical applications including as implants for tissue engineering as well as in biotechnology. The cohesive biopolymer gels according to the present invention may be used clinically either per se or as a scaffold for a cell-bearing implant, as a depot for sustained release of bioactive agents, or for research and biotechnology.