Abstract: Technology is provided for the transfer of human blastocyst-derived stem cells (hBS cells) to a feeder-free culture system and propagation of the cells in such a feeder-free culture system, the method comprising the following steps of (a) transferring the blastocyst-derived stem cells from feeder to feeder free culture by mechanical treatment, (b) culturing the blastocyst-derived stem cells under feeder cell free growth conditions in a suitable growth medium and/or on a suitable support substrate, and (c) optionally passaging the blastocyst derived stem cell line every 3-10 days by enzymatic and/or mechanical treatment. The application of hBS cells cultured under a feeder-free condition in medicine (e.g., myocardial regeneration) and screening and toxicity testing also is provided.

Abstract: A method for the transfer of human blastocyst-derived stem cells (hBS cells) to feeder-free culture system and propagation of the cells in such a feeder-free culture system, the method comprising the following steps of (a) transferring the balstocyst-derived stem cells from feeder to feeder free culture by mechanical treatment, (b) optionally, culturing the blastocyst-derived stem cells under feeder cell free growth conditions in a suitable growth medium and/or on a suitable support substrate, and (c) optionally passaging the blastocyst derived stem cell line every 3-10 days by enzymatic and/or mechanical treatment. The invention also relates to the application of hBS cells cultured under feeder free condition in medicine (e.g., myocardial regeneration) and screening and toxicity tests.

Abstract: An improved method for vitrification of biological cells, especially blastocyst-derived stem cells (BS cells). The method is very mild for the cells that remain viable after they have been thawed. The method comprises, i) transfer of the cells to a first solution (solution A), ii) optionally incubation of the cells in the first solution, iii) transfer the cells obtained in step i) or ii) to a second solution (solution B), iv) optionally incubation of the cells in the second solution, v) transfer of the cells obtained from step iii) or iv) into one or more closed straws with dimensions that allow a volume of at least 20 ?l to be contained in them vi) sealing the one or more closed straws, and vii) vitrification of the one or more closed straws. An important feature of the present invention is the use of closed straw and that relatively large volumes can be efficiently vitrified and subsequently thawed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring/detecting compounds capable to regulate the transcription and/or expression of the forkhead transcription factor Foxc2, which compounds may be useful for the treatment of obesity related diseases and diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection method for detecting molecules and/or chemical reactions, whereby target molecules are attached to a series of electrodes, that the series of electrodes with molecules are subjected to assay said molecules or other molecules, whereupon the variation of conductance is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of the FOXC2 protein with other proteins, in particular complexes of FOXC2 with proteins designated p621, NOLP, HSC71, FTP3, CLH1, and Kinase A Anchor Protein 84/149 (AKAP). The protein complexes can be used in methods of identifying agents useful for the treatment of medical conditions that can be treated by modulated FOXC2 activity, such as obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, diet-induced insulin resistance, and/or type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: A rapid, simple and efficient method for the generation of neural progenitor cells from pluripotent/undifferentiated human blastocyst-derived stem (hBS) cells, neural progenitor cells obtained by the method and further differentiation of these cells into the three neural cell lineages, and the use of the neural progenitor cells and the differentiated cells in the preparation of medicaments. An important feature of the method is that neural progenitor cells are produced without a step involving formation of embryoid bodies (EB), improving the efficiency and the reducing the time for generation as compared to known methods.

Abstract: A method for the transfer of human blastocyst-derived stem cells (hBS cells) to feeder-free culture system and propagation of the cells in such a feeder-free culture system, the method comprising the following steps of (a) transferring the balstocyst-derived stem cells from feeder to feeder free culture by mechanical treatment, (b) optionally, culturing the blastocyst-derived stem cells under feeder cell free growth conditions in a suitable growth medium and/or on a suitable support substrate, and (c) optionally passaging the blastocyst derived stem cell line every 3-10 days by enzymatic and/or mechanical treatment. The invention also relates to the application of hBS cells cultured under feeder free condition in medicine (e.g., myocardial regeneration) and screening and toxicity tests.

Abstract: An improved method for vitrification of biological cells, especially blastocyst-derived stem cells (BS cells). The method is very mild for the cells that remain viable after they have been thawed. The method comprises, i) transfer of the cells to a first solution (solution A), ii) optionally incubation of the cells in the first solution, iii) transfer the cells obtained in step i) or ii) to a second solution (solution B), iv) optionally incubation of the cells in the second solution, v) transfer of the cells obtained from step iii) or iv) into one or more closed straws with dimensions that allow a volume of at least 20 ?l to be contained in them vi) sealing the one or more closed straws, and vii) vitrification of the one or more closed straws. An important feature of the present invention is the use of closed straw and that relatively large volumes can be efficiently vitrified and subsequently thawed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection method for detecting molecules and/or chemical reactions, whereby target molecules are attached to a series of electrodes, that the series of electrodes with molecules are subjected to assay said molecules or other molecules, whereupon the variation of conductance is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of the FOXC2 protein with other proteins, in particular complexes of FOXC2 with proteins designated p621, NOLP, HSC71, FTP3, CLH1, and Kinase A Anchor Protein 84/149 (AKAP). The protein complexes can be used in methods of identifying agents useful for the treatment of medical conditions that can be treated by modulated FOXC2 activity, such as obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, diet-induced insulin resistance, and/or type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates an isolated promoter region of the mammalian transcription factor FOXC2. The invention also relates to screening methods for agents modulating the expression of FOXC2 and thereby being potentially useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity. The invention further relates to a previously unknown variant of the human FOXC2 gene, derived via the use of an alternative promoter, which produces an additional exon that generates a distinct open reading frame via splicing. The alternative gene encodes a variant of the FOXC2 transcription factor, which is lacking a part of the DNA-binding domain and consequently has a potential regulatory function.

Abstract: According to the invention, a major role for the winged helix protein FKHL14/FOXC2 in regulating energy balance and adiposity is demonstrated. The invention relates to transgenic non-human mammalian animals being capable of expressing the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene in its adipose tissue. The invention also relates to methods for identifying compounds useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity or diabetes, said compounds being capable of stimulating expression of the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene, or being capable of stimulating the biological activity of a polypeptide encoded by the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene. The invention further relates to methods for identifying compounds useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to malnutrition, said compounds being capable of decreasing expression of the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene, or being capable of decreasing the biological activity of a polypeptide encoded by the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene.

Abstract: According to the invention, a major role for the winged helix protein FKHL14/FOXC2 in regulating energy balance and adiposity is demonstrated. The invention relates to transgenic non-human mammalian animals being capable of expressing the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene in its adipose tissue. The invention also relates to methods for identifying compounds useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity or diabetes, said compounds being capable of stimulating expression of the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene, or being capable of stimulating the biological activity of a polypeptide encoded by the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene. The invention further relates to methods for identifying compounds useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to malnutrition, said compounds being capable of decreasing expression of the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene, or being capable of decreasing the biological activity of a polypeptide encoded by the human FKHL14/FOXC2 gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection method for detecting molecules and/or chemical reactions, whereby target molecules are attached to a series of electrodes, that the series of electrodes with molecules are subjected to assay said molecules or other molecules, whereupon the variation of conductance is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates an isolated promoter region of the mammalian transcription factor FOXC2. The invention also relates to screening methods for agents modulating the expression of FOXC2 and thereby being potentially useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity. The invention further relates to a previously unknown variant of the human FOXC2 gene, derived via the use of an alternative promoter, which produces an additional exon that generates a distinct open reading frame via splicing. The alternative gene encodes a variant of the FOXC2 transcription factor, which is lacking a part of the DNA-binding domain and consequently has a potential regulatory function.

Abstract: A complex between a virus the cell binding receptor of which has been inactivated and an antibody, said antibody having the ability to interact with a specific antigen on the surface of a mammalian cell different from the cellular structure which would otherwise mediate binding of the virus to the cell surface and which antigen has the ability to mediate entrance of a virus vector or infectious virus into mammalian cells.