Abstract: The invention provides methods for propagation of multipotent stem cells from human skin fibroblast samples using an appropriate medium, such as an amniotic fluid medium (AFM), and subsequent differentiation of the cells into cells of any of the three germ layers. The invention also provides methods of differentiating and making various tissues from multipotent cells in skin fibroblasts cultures that are capable of in vitro differentiation and that the cells are useful as a source of in vivo gene and/or autologous cell therapy. Isolated multipotent stem cells, cultures of multipotent stem cells, and differentiated cells derived from the cultures of multipotent stem cells that are obtained by the methods disclosed herein also are provided. The methods, cells, cultures, media, banks, batches, and collections so provided can be used for various medical, research, diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to multipotent stem cell-based research tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to culture systems and 3-dimensional tissue models that may be used for identifying agents useful for treating diseases and conditions and that are suitable for high throughput screening applications. This present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a method for propagating multipotent stem cells from human skin fibroblasts and subsequently differentiating those multipotent stem cells into cells of any of the three germ layers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for propagation of multipotent stem cells from human skin fibroblast samples using an appropriate medium, such as an amniotic fluid medium (AFM), and subsequent differentiation of the cells into cells of any of the three germ layers. The invention also provides methods of differentiating and making various tissues from multipotent cells in skin fibroblasts cultures that are capable of in vitro differentiation and that the cells are useful as a source of in vivo gene and/or autologous cell therapy. Isolated multipotent stem cells, cultures of multipotent stem cells, and differentiated cells derived from the cultures of multipotent stem cells that are obtained by the methods disclosed herein also are provided. The methods, cells, cultures, media, banks, batches, and collections so provided can be used for various medical, research, diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

Abstract: A method for separating biological materials and other substances is disclosed, wherein a mixture containing desired and undesired components are exposed to magnetic particles having ligands capable of binding to the desired and/or the undesired components to form a magnetic mixture, placing the magnetic mixture onto a substrate material; exposing the substrate coated with the magnetic mixture to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to cause the magnetic components to migrate across the substrate; and repeatedly increasing and decreasing the magnetic field in a pulsing manner with a frequency sufficient to cause the desired magnetic components to separate spatially from the undesired magnetic components. A device for separating biological materials capable of being operated to increase and decrease magnetic field in a pulse fashion is also disclosed.