Abstract: Provided are assay systems for determining the therapeutic or toxic effect of a putative drug based on assaying its activity in cells which have been differentiated in vitro from stem cells, and induced to display a phenotype that resembles a disease to be treated.

Abstract: Provided are means and methods for producing embryoid bodies (EBs) from multi- or pluripotent cells. In particular, a method of generating embryoid bodies (EBs) is described comprising agitation of a liquid suspension culture of multi- or pluripotent cells in a container until generation of cell aggregates, optionally diluting the suspension, and further agitation of the suspension until formation of EBs. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the novel culturing method and EBs obtained thereby for a variety of applications including genomics, diagnostic assays, teratogenic/embryotoxicological and pharmacological assays as well as for the provision of tissue grafts.

Abstract: Provided is a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of heart failure and diseases associated therewith. In particular, vinca alkaloids are used for improving the viability of cardiomyocytes and preventing myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for selecting differentiating embryonic or adult stem cells or embryonic germline cells in a cell-specific and development-specific manner, using a combination of resistance genes and detectable reporter genes under the common control of a cell-specific and/or development-specific promoter.

Abstract: Provided are functional cell and tissue assay systems based on substrate-integrated multifunctional microelectrode arrays implementing stem cell technology. The system covers normal and pathogenic characteristics.

Abstract: Provided are embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived tissue modeling systems. In particular, systems for the de novo generation of tissue by parallel drug selection of cell types constituting the tissue of interest in one culture of differentiating ES cells is described as well as the use of such systems in transplantation and drug development.

Abstract: The present invention related to non-human mammal embryonic stem (ES) cells stably transfected with a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence coding for a non-cell damaging fluorescent protein and a cell- and/or development-dependent promoter operably linked with said DNA sequence; a method for preparing such ES cells; a cell culture obtainable by culturing said ES cells; a method for the toxicological examination of substances using such cell cultures; a method for producing transgenic non-human mammals using said ES cells; a transgenic non-human mammal obtainable by said method; and a method for examining stages of cellular development using cells of such a non-human mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-human mammal embryonic stem (ES) cells stably transfected with a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence coding for a non-cell-damaging fluorescent protein and a cell- and/or development-dependent promoter operably linked with said DNA sequence; a method for preparing such ES cells; a cell culture obtainable by culturing said ES cells; a method for the toxicological examination of substances using such cell cultures; a method for producing transgenic non-human mammals using said ES cells; a transgenic non-human mammal obtainable by said method; and a method for examining stages of cellular development using cells of such a non-human mammal.