Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating a subject afflicted with a tumor using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells, wherein each genetically modified mesenchymal stem cell contains an exogenous nucleic acid comprising (i) a cytotoxic protein-encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination, whereby the cytotoxic protein is selectively expressed when the genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells come into proximity with the tumor's stromal tissue. This invention further provides genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells for use in this method.

Abstract: This invention provides novel stem cell-based methods for treating a number of conditions. These methods employ CD34 stem cells, and have a tremendous advantage in that they do not require myeloablation in the subject being treated. The CD34 stem cells used in the instant methods can be genetically, modified or not, depending on the disorder treated.

Abstract: This invention provides novel stem cell-based methods for treating a number of conditions. These methods employ CD34 stem cells, and have a tremendous advantage in that they do not require myeloablation in the subject being treated. The CD34 stem cells used in the instant methods can be genetically, modified or not, depending on the disorder treated.

Abstract: Provided are polymer modified substrates which comprise a) a substrate, b) a binding layer covalently attached to the surface of the substrate and covering at least a part of this surface; and c) a polymer brush formed by a plurality of polymer chains, each of which is covalently attached at one of its terminals to the binding layer. Moreover, methods are provided, for the preparation of the polymer modified substrates by polymerizing vinyl group containing monomers, such as vinylphosphonates, on a binding layer provided on a substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell growth medium comprising (a) a human platelet lysate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter; (b) a human fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter; (c) heparin; (d) L-glutamine; and (e) a serum-free, low glucose medium suitable for mammalian cell growth, wherein the cell growth medium permits the expansion of human CD34? stem cells and wherein the resulting expanded CD34? stem cells retain the ability to differentiate. This invention also provides related cell growth medium supplements, a sterile human platelet lysate and human fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate, kits, CD34? stem cell-containing compositions, and related production and cell expansion methods.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell growth medium comprising (a) a human platelet lysate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter, wherein the lysate constitutes from 2% to 15% of the total volume of the cell growth medium; (b) a human fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter, wherein the FFP filtrate constitutes from 1% to 10% of the total volume of the cell growth medium; (c) heparin at a concentration of from 0 U/ml to 10 U/ml of the cell growth medium; (d) L-glutamine at a concentration of from 0.5 mM to 10 mM; and (e) a serum-free, low glucose medium suitable for mammalian cell growth, wherein the serum-free, low glucose medium constitutes from 75% to 97% of the total volume of the cell growth medium, and may contain the L-glutamine of part (d); wherein the cell growth medium permits the expansion of human CD34? stem cells and wherein the resulting expanded CD34? stem cells retain the ability to differentiate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating a subject afflicted with a tumor using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells, wherein each genetically modified mesenchymal stem cell contains an exogenous nucleic acid comprising (i) a cytotoxic protein-encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination, whereby the cytotoxic protein is selectively expressed when the genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells come into proximity with the tumor's stromal tissue. This invention further provides genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells for use in this method.

Abstract: This invention provides novel stem cell-based methods for treating a number of conditions. These methods employ CD34? stem cells, and have a tremendous advantage in that they do not require myeloablation in the subject being treated. The CD34? stem cells used in the instant methods can be genetically modified or not, depending on the disorder treated.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell growth medium comprising (a) a human platelet lysate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter, wherein the lysate constitutes from 2% to 15% of the total volume of the cell growth medium; (b) a human fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter, wherein the FFP filtrate constitutes from 1% to 10% of the total volume of the cell growth medium; (c) heparin at a concentration of from 0 U/ml to 10 U/ml of the cell growth medium; (d) L-glutamine at a concentration of from 0.5 mM to 10 mM; and (e) a serum-free, low glucose medium suitable for mammalian cell growth, wherein the serum-free, low glucose medium constitutes from 75% to 97% of the total volume of the cell growth medium, and may contain the L-glutamine of part (d); wherein the cell growth medium permits the expansion of human CD34? stem cells and wherein the resulting expanded CD34? stem cells retain the ability to differentiate.

Abstract: This invention provides novel stem cell-based methods for treating a number of conditions. These methods employ CD34? stem cells, and have a tremendous advantage in that they do not require myeloablation in the subject being treated. The CD34? stem cells used in the instant methods can be genetically modified or not, depending on the disorder treated.