Abstract: Provided is a cell culture method comprising the step of culturing cells using a medium containing a laminin fragment having integrin binding activity, the method not comprising the step of coating a culture vessel with a laminin or a laminin fragment before seeding the cells in the culture vessel. The cell culture method of the present invention uses a smaller amount of a laminin fragment and still achieves a comparable culture efficiency as compared with the conventional cell culture method that uses a culture vessel precoated with a laminin or a laminin fragment.

Abstract: A biological sample or drug stored inside a frozen storage container is not susceptible to contamination. The frozen storage container includes a container body with an internal space, and a partition wall which divides the internal space at least into a first space and a second space. In the container body, the first space is liquid-tightly sealed, the second space has an opening which is in communication with the outside, and the second space is liquid-tightly sealable by welding the container body. A frozen storage container system includes the frozen storage container; and a needle member which includes a needle tip portion capable of being inserted into the internal space of the container body and capable of piercing the partition wall, and has a flow path which is opened at the needle tip portion and is opened at a base end portion opposite to the needle tip portion.

Abstract: In the present invention, for test cells which are either stem cells whose state of differentiation is unknown or cells obtained from stem cells by differentiation induction, an LC-MS or GC-MS analysis is performed on culture supernatants collected from a culture dish of the test cells and a culture dish of control cells whose state of differentiation is known, and the state of differentiation of the test cells is assessed based on the amount, determined as a result of the aforementioned analysis, of at least one compound selected from the group of putrescine, kynurenine, cystathionine, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, pyruvic acid, serine, cysteine, threonic acid, citric acid, and orotic acid in both the culture supernatant of the test cells and the culture supernatant of the control cells.

Abstract: There is provided means with which, during frozen storage of a biological sample or a drug, the biological sample or drug stored inside a frozen storage container is not susceptible to contamination. A frozen storage container 10 includes a container body 11 with an internal space 13, and a partition wall 12 which divides the internal space 13 of the container body 11 at least into a first space 14 and a second space 15. In the container body 11, the first space 14 is liquid-tightly sealed, the second space 15 has an opening 22 which is in communication with the outside, and the second space 15 is liquid-tightly sealable by welding the container body 11.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture method comprising the step of culturing cells using a medium containing a laminin fragment having integrin binding activity, the method not comprising the step of coating a culture vessel with a laminin or a laminin fragment before seeding the cells in the culture vessel. The cell culture method of the present invention uses a smaller amount of a laminin fragment and still achieves a comparable culture efficiency as compared with the conventional cell culture method that uses a culture vessel precoated with a laminin or a laminin fragment.

Abstract: In the present invention, for test cells which are either stem cells whose state of differentiation is unknown or cells obtained from stem cells by differentiation induction, an LC-MS or GC-MS analysis is performed on culture supernatants collected from a culture dish of the test cells and a culture dish of control cells whose state of differentiation is known, and the state of differentiation of the test cells is assessed based on the amount, determined as a result of the aforementioned analysis, of at least one compound selected from the group of putrescine, kynurenine, cystathionine, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, pyruvic acid, serine, cysteine, threonic acid, citric acid, and orotic acid in both the culture supernatant of the test cells and the culture supernatant of the control cells.

Abstract: A method for sorting pluripotent cells using a compound which is eliminated from the pluripotent cells through the MDR1 transporter.

Abstract: A method for sorting pluripotent cells using a compound which is eliminated from the pluripotent cells through the MDR1 transporter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a culture substrate which enables maintenance culture of human pluripotent stem cells in a pluripotent state under a feeder-free culture environment, and a culture method of human pluripotent stem cells using the culture substrate. By seeding human pluripotent stem cells dissociated into single cells at a cell density of 4×104 to 10×104 cells/cm2 onto a culture substrate coated with human laminin ?5?1?1 E8 fragment or human laminin ?3?3?2 E8 fragment preferably at a concentration of 0.5 to 25 ?g/cm2, the human pluripotent stem cells can be rapidly expanded in a pluripotent state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a culture substrate which enables maintenance culture of human pluripotent stem cells in a pluripotent state under a feeder-free culture environment, and a culture method of human pluripotent stem cells using the culture substrate. By seeding human pluripotent stem cells dissociated into single cells at a cell density of 4×104 to 10×104 cells/cm2 onto a culture substrate coated with human laminin ?5?1?1 E8 fragment or human laminin ?3?3?2 E8 fragment preferably at a concentration of 0.5 to 25 ?g/cm2, the human pluripotent stem cells can be rapidly expanded in a pluripotent state.

Abstract: A culture medium for preparation of feeder cells for embryonic stem cells, which can efficiently establish feeder cells for use in culture of embryonic stem cells including human's from limited donor-derived materials and culture them in a condition of a reduced risk of infection, is provided. Further, a preparation method of feeder cells, which is relatively safe even when subjected to coculture with embryonic stem cells including human's, and the resulting feeder cells therefrom are provided. With the culture medium for preparation of feeder cells for embryonic stem cells comprising at least a serum albumin and insulin in a basal medium, a cell population comprising at least one kind of cells selected from fetal skin fibroblasts, fetal myofibroblasts, fetal lung fibroblasts, fetal epithelial cells, fetal endothelial cells, adult skin fibroblasts, adult lung fibroblasts, adult epithelial cells and endothelial cells which can become feeder cells for embryonic stem cells can be stably proliferated.

Abstract: A cryopreservation medium and a cryopreservation method which make it possible to cryopreserve ES cells from primates simply with high viability are provided. A cryopreservation medium containing a cryoprotectant at a Concentration of from 12% (W/V) to 50% (W/V) and a cryopreservation method for primate embryonic stem cells, which comprises a step of suspending primate embryonic stem cells in the cryopreservation medium, and a refrigeration step of freezing the suspension of the primate embryonic stem cells in the cryopreservation medium by cooling it to ?80° C. or below at a rate of from 0.5° C. to 10° C. per minute, and a preservation step of storing the frozen suspension of primate embryonic stem cells in the cryopreservation medium enable simple cryopreservation of primate embryonic stem cells with high viability.

Abstract: An enzyme solution for subculturing primate embryonic stem (ES) cells and a method of culturing primate ES cells is described herein. The enzyme solution comprises trypsin, calcium chloride and a serum substitute. The culturing method comprises the step of culturing primate ES cells in a solution comprising trypsin and calcium chloride, and optionally a serum substitute. The solution and method of this invention enable one to stably maintain and propagate ES cells derived from a primate, such as monkey or human, for a long period in an undifferentiated state and with a normal karyotype.