Abstract: The present invention relates to slitrk proteins as markers of stem and progenitor cells, including embryonic stem cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and also as a marker of leukemia and lymphoma cells, and of endothelial cells. The invention provides, inter alia, methods for purifying slitrk-positive cells, methods for detecting slitrk-positive cells, purified preparations of slitrk-positive cells, therapeutic compositions containing purified slitrk-positive cells, methods for targeting therapeutic agents to slitrk-positive cells, and methods of treatment, including but not limited to, methods of administering slitrk-positive cells to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention comprises a composition of matter and method of its use for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in humans. The composition is a modified anticholinergic alpha-neurotoxin. Alpha-neurotoxin solution, such as cobratoxin, is filter sterilized to remove bacteria. It is modified using H2O2. Any suitable preservative for parenteral administration can be employed such as methyl paraben, benzalkonium chloride or metacreosol. It is preferred that the composition is administered every other day or daily. The composition may be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously. Parenterally, either subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is preferred.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for expanding a population of chondrocytes that maintains chondrocyte phenotype during the expansion by culturing the population in a defined serum-free expansion medium containing one or more cytokines and under low attachment conditions. The method further solves diffusion problems during the subsequent stage of extracellular matrix production by use of a perforated polycarbonate substrate that results in a randomly organized cultured neocartilage tissue. Chondrocytes expanded and cultured in this manner can be used in various medical applications to repair cartilaginous tissues that have been injured by trauma or disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to isolate and expand pure progenitor/stem cells from a primary tissue explant, which produces a population enriched in multipotent functional progenitor/stem cells free of contaminating fibroblasts and other cell types. Cardiac progenitor/stem cells isolated by this method maintain their self-renewal and clonogenic character in vitro and differentiate into normal cells in myocardium, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, after transplantation into ischemic hearts. The present invention also includes substantially pure populations of multipotent progenitor/stem cells, e.g., cardiac progenitor/stem cells, and their use to treat and prevent diseases and injuries, including those resulting from myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to induce primate embryonic stem cells to differentiate into a relatively homogenous population of mesendoderm cells by treatment with caspase-like inhibitors. Also described is a population of mesendoderm cells obtained therefrom. The embryonic stem cell derived mesendoderm cells have the general morphological and cell surface marker characteristics of mesendoderm cells.

Abstract: An osteoinductive/osteoconductive composition prepared from a quantity, of demineralized fibrous bone elements possessing an average surface area to volume ratio of about 100:1 to about 20:1, a quantity of mostly shaped regular non-fibrous bone elements possessing an average surface area to volume ratio of about 10:1 or less and a sufficient quantity of biocompatible fluid carrier sufficient to provide the composition as a deformable mass is provided herein. Also provided is a method of using the composition to repair a bone defect site.

Abstract: Improved methods for tissue engineering including tissue transplantation, augmentation and regeneration are described. These methods utilize a support matrix in the generation of an anatomical construct that includes donor vascularized tissue. The support matrix may be devised such that it has size and shape adapted to simulate the dimensions of tissue to be transplanted, augmented and/or repaired.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of suppression of tumor cell proliferation and tumor growth using placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations. The invention also provides methods of producing and selecting placental cells and cell populations on the basis of tumor suppression, and compositions comprising such cells and cell populations.

Abstract: The present application discloses compositions, methods and devices for treatment of a degenerative intervertebral disc. A composition can comprise chondrocytes expressing type II collagen. These chondrocytes can be obtained from human cadavers up to about two weeks following death, and can be grown in vitro. The compositions can further comprise one or more biocompatible molecules. Treatment of a degenerative disc can comprise injecting or implanting a composition comprising the chondrocytes into a degenerative disc.

Abstract: Since the multipotent progenitor/stem cells isolated and cultured from the cord blood-derived mononuclear cells according to the method of the present invention are capable of differentiating into several types of cells including neurons, osteoblasts, myoblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes and dendritic cells, they can be effectively used for a cell therapy, a cell restoration technique or an organ production.

Abstract: Methods and kits for propagating hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing cells in medium comprising one or more angiopoietin-like proteins, under conditions sufficient for expansion of HSCs. Angiopoietin-like proteins include angiopoietin-like protein 2, angiopoietin-like protein 3, angiopoietin-like protein 4, angiopoietin-like protein 5, angiopoietin-like protein 7, and microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein (Mfap4). Methods for identifying hematopoietic stem cells are provided and isolated hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi. An ADP platelet activator and one or platelet inhibitors are provided. At least one of the platelet inhibitors is Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). An alternate signal transduction pathway is produced. A final concentration of ADP is 2 to 35 ?M and a final concentration of PGE1 is 2 to 30 nM, preferably 20 to 25 nM.

Abstract: A number of human disorders are characterized by degeneration or loss of specific cells, resulting in pathology associated with reduction or absence of cell function. Such diseases include neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Methods are described for obtaining a substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells including incubating a population of human embryonic stem cells with an amount of a selection agent. The selection agent is effective to reduce or eliminate differentiated embryonic stem cells from the population of cells such that a substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells is obtained. The substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells may be produced without use of feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a pharmacologically active blood serum product producible by a method comprising electrostimulation of a non-human animal, withdrawal of blood from said animal, isolation of serum from said blood, and gamma irradiation of said serum in the treatment of stroke, preferably ischemic stroke.

Abstract: Provided herein are human embryonic stem cells and their method of culturing. In one embodiment, the human embryonic stem cells are maintained in an environment containing an extracellular matrix isolated from feeder cells and a conditioned medium pre-conditioned by the feeder cells; the feeder cells are pre-inactivated by either gamma ray radiation or by mitomycin C treatment. The cultured human embryonic stem cells remain substantially undifferentiated and maintain their pluripotency to differentiate into three germ layer cells.

Abstract: A method of generating cultured chondrocytes/endochondral bone cells is provided. The method comprising isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue, and culturing the isolated chondrocytes. A method of isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue is further provided. The method comprises isolating mandibular condyle tissue from a mammal and treating the mandibular condyle tissue so as to selectively remove fibroblast-like cells and/or myocytes therefrom, the modified mandibular condyle tissue including chondrocytes, and selectively collecting the chondrocytes from the modified mandibular condyle tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to cellular compositions comprising hematopoietic cells with the potential or increased potential to form non-hematopoietic cells; methods for producing such cellular compositions; methods for differentiation of cells of cellular compositions of the invention into cells that exhibit morphological, physiological, functional, and/or immunological features of non-hematopoietic cells; and uses of the cellular compositions. The invention also relates to a method for the expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Abstract: Chemically defined media compositions for the culture of eukaryotic cells are disclosed. The compositions are useful for eukaryotic cell culture in perfusion bioreactors and other vessels.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of producing ethanol and decreasing residual starch production in a no cook fermentation comprising contacting granular starch containing substrates with a granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme, a protease, and a fermenting microorganism under suitable fermentation conditions at a temperature below the starch gelatinization temperature of the starch substrate to produce ethanol, wherein the ethanol production is increased and the amount of residual starch is decreased compared to a substantially similar method conducted without the protease.

Abstract: Cells derived from postpartum tissue having the potential to support cells of and/or differentiate to cells of a soft tissue lineage, and methods of preparation and use of those postpartum tissue-derived cells, are provided by the invention. The invention also provides methods for the use of such postpartum-derived cells and products related thereto in therapies for conditions of soft tissue.