Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolating stem cells from a mixed population of different cell types. This method involves selecting a promoter which functions only in said stem cells and not in the other cell types. The promoter can have a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, and SEQ ID NO: 8. A nucleic acid molecule encoding a marker protein under control of said promoter is introduced into all cell types of said mixed population and only the stem cells, but not the other cell types, within said mixed population are allowed to express said marker protein. The cells of said mixed population of cell types that are expressing the marker protein, which are restricted to the stem cells are identified and separated from the mixed population, where the separated cells are restricted to the stem cells. The promoter, nucleic acid constructs comprising it, and the resulting stem cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, an isolated nucleic acid that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a nucleic acid that is complementary to a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, a purified KIAA0918 protein, a purified protein encoded by a nucleic acid that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a nucleic acid that is complementary to a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, a method of making KIAA0918 protein, an antibody specific for KIAA0918, a method for producing an antibody specific for KIAA0918 protein, a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, and a host cell transformed with a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918. Also provided are methods for detecting the presence of and isolating hematopoietic stem cells in a heterogeneous cell suspension and for assessing gene expression in a tissue sample.