Abstract: A homogenous, symmetrically dividing population of adherent neural stem cells is obtained from ES cells or foetal or adult brain isolates, using an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of a receptor of the EGF receptor family, optionally in combination with an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of an FGF receptor. The neural stem cell population is highly pure and retains the ability to differentiate into neurons after in excess of 100 passages.

Abstract: Pluripotent cells are maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor, a GSK3 inhibitor and, optionally, an antagonist of an FGF receptor. Pluripotent cells are also maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor and an antagonist of an FGF receptor.

Abstract: A homogenous, symmetrically dividing population of adherent neural stem cells is obtained from ES cells or foetal or adult brain isolates, using an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of a receptor of the EGF receptor family, optionally in combination with an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of an FGF receptor. The neural stem cell population is highly pure and retains the ability to differentiate into neurons after in excess of 100 passages.

Abstract: A homogenous, symmetrically dividing population of adherent neural stem cells is obtained from ES cells or foetal or adult brain isolates, using an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of a receptor of the EGF receptor family, optionally in combination with an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of an FGF receptor. The neural stem cell population is highly pure and retains the ability to differentiate into neurons after in excess of 100 passages.

Abstract: Pluripotent cells are derived and maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor, a GSK3 inhibitor and an antagonist of an FGF receptor.

Abstract: Pluripotent cells are derived and maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor, a GSK3 inhibitor and an antagonist of an FGF receptor.

Abstract: Expression of reprogramming factors such as Sox2, klf4, c-myc, Nanog, LIN28 and Oct4 followed by culture in a MEK inhibitor and a GSK3 inhibitor reprograms tissue cells. The invention provides new uses of these inhibitors, for example in inducing completion of the transcriptional resetting of so-called pre-pluripotent (pre-iPS) stem cells, for example as obtained from mammalian neural stem cells or epiblast stem cells treated with single or combinations of the reprogramming factors, expressed transiently or by integrative vectors. Also provided are systems for reprogramming an epiplast stem cells independently of the use of there inhibitors.

Abstract: Pluripotency determining factors are described which act intracellularly and maintain a pluripotent cell in a pluripotent state in the absence of gp130 activation, which maintain or confer pluripotency of a human stem cell, which maintain or confer pluripotency of a mouse ES cell, and which maintain or confer pluripotency of a stem cell from a non-permissive strain of mice. The factors and vectors encoding or activating the factors are used to maintain and derive pluripotent cells, especially of higher mammals, including humans.

Abstract: Pluripotent cells are maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor, a GSK3 inhibitor and, optionally, an antagonist of an FGF receptor. Pluripotent cells are also maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor and an antagonist of an FGF receptor.

Abstract: Embryonic stem (ES) cells are cultured in the presence of a compound which selectively inhibits propagation or survival of cells other than ES cells. The ES cells have not been genetically altered. Instead, the compound inhibits a signalling pathway which is essential for propagation of differentiated cells but is not essential for propagation of ES cells—hence ES cells are selectively maintained in the culture.

Abstract: Pluripotent cells are maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a gp130 agonist (LIF) and a GSK3 inhibitor.

Abstract: Animal stem cells are obtained and maintained by culturing cells containing, in the genome, a selectable marker. Differential expression of the selectable marker enables preferential survival and/or division of the desired stem cells compared to the non-stem cells.

Abstract: Embryonic stem (ES) cells are cultured in the presence of a compound which selectively inhibits propagation or survival of cells other than ES cells. The ES cells have not been genetically altered. Instead, the compound inhibits a signalling pathway which is essential for propagation of differentiated cells but is not essential for propagation of ES cells—hence ES cells are selectively maintained in the culture.

Abstract: Differentiation towards a neural fate, and away from a non-neural fate, is promoted by activation of Notch signalling in ES cells and then transferring the cells into neural differentiation protocols. Media for neural differentiation comprises a Notch activator, e.g. a notch ligand that can be clustered. Genetic manipulation is used as an alternative to media additives for Notch activation.

Abstract: Self renewal of pluripotent cells in culture is promoted using a combination of an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of a receptor of the TGF-? superfamily and an activator of a gp130 downstream signalling pathway.

Abstract: Embryonic stem (ES) cells are cultured in the presence of a compound which selectively inhibits propagation or survival of cells other than ES cells. The ES cells have not been genetically altered. Instead, the compound inhibits a signalling pathway which is essential for propagation of differentiated cells but is not essential for propagation of ES cells—hence ES cells are selectively maintained in the culture.

Abstract: Animal stem cells are obtained and maintained by culturing cells containing, in the genome, a selectable marker. Differential expression of the selectable marker enables preferential survival and/or division of the desired stem cells compared to the non-stem cells.

Abstract: A gene trap vector comprises a DNA construct containing an expression unit of an internal ribosome binding site (IRES) coupled to a heterologous gene sequence; this expression unit is used in gene trap protocols to obtain expression of the heterologous gene in the host.

Abstract: Animal stem cells are obtained and maintained by culturing cells containing, in the genome, a selectable marker; differential expression of the selectable marker enables preferential survival and/or division of the desired stem cells compared to non-stem cells.

Abstract: Embryonic stem (ES) cells are cultured in the presence of a compound which selectively inhibits propagation or survival of cells other than ES cells. The ES cells have not been genetically altered.