Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding proliferative, multipotent connective tissue progenitor cells from adult stem cells are provided. Also provided are methods of generating functional tendon grafts in vitro and bone, cartilage and connective tissues in vivo using the isolated cell preparation of connective tissue progenitor cells.

Abstract: Provided are serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3, ascorbic acid, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture. The media may also comprise an IL6R/IL6 chimera, or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF); wherein the culture medium is capable of maintaining pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cell support. Also provided are cell cultures comprising pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using the same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems. Methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding proliferative, multipotent connective tissue progenitor cells from adult stem cells are provided. Also provided are methods of generating functional tendon grafts in vitro and bone, cartilage and connective tissues in vivo using the isolated cell preparation of connective tissue progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: A method of generating cells predominantly displaying at least one characteristic associated with a cardiac phenotype is disclosed. The method comprises (a) partially dispersing a confluent cultured population of human stem cells, thereby generating a cell population including cell aggregates; (b) subjecting the cell aggregates to culturing conditions suitable for generating embryoid bodies; (c) subjecting the embryoid bodies to culturing conditions suitable for inducing cardiac lineage differentiation in at least a portion of the cells of the embryoid bodies, the culturing conditions suitable for inducing cardiac lineage differentiation including adherence of the embryoid bodies to a surface, and culture, medium supplemented with serum, thereby generating cells predominantly displaying at least one characteristic associated with a cardiac phenotype.

Abstract: Provided are methods of isolating pericyte progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, by isolating CD105+, CD73+ and/or CD105+/CD73+ cells from embryoid bodies and optionally by enriching the cells with CD31? cells. Also provided are methods of isolating endothelial cells and co-derivation of pericyte and endothelial cells progenitor cells from embryoid bodies, and methods of differentiating same for various therapeutic applications. In addition, the invention provides an isolated pericyte progenitor cell having an expression marker signature of CD105+/CD73+CD31?/alpha SMA?/CD133?/Flk-1?.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention is of a method of dynamically generating human embryoid bodies which can be used for generating lineage specific cells and cell lines. Specifically, the present invention can be used to generate ESC-differentiated cells for cell-replacement therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is of a method of dynamically generating human embryoid bodies which can be used for generating lineage specific cells and cell lines. Specifically, the present invention can be used to generate ESC-differentiated cells for cell-replacement therapy.

Abstract: Methods of generating embryoid bodies (EBs) by culturing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) under static conditions followed by culturing the cells under dynamic conditions using e.g., a Glass Bulb-shaped Impeller (GBI) or shaking a culture vessel are provided. Also provided are methods of generating expanded and/or differentiated cells from the EBs of the invention and methods of using same for treating disorders requiring cell replacement therapy.

Abstract: An isolated homogeneous population of cells comprising a plurality of human ectodermal progenitor cells. Also provided are methods of generating and using the population of cells.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: Well-defined, xeno-free culture media which comprise a TGF-beta isoform or the chimera formed between IL6 and the soluble IL6 receptor (IL6RIL6), which are capable of maintaining stem cells, and particularly, human embryonic stem cells, in an undifferentiated state are provided. Also provided are cell cultures comprising the culture media and the stem cells and methods of expanding and deriving embryonic stem cells in such well-defined, xeno-free culture media. In addition, the present invention provides methods of differentiating ESCs or EBs formed therefrom for the generation of lineage specific cells.

Abstract: A method of generating cells predominantly displaying at least one characteristic associated with a cardiac phenotype is disclosed. The method comprises (a) partially dispersing a confluent cultured population of human stem cells, thereby generating a cell population including cell aggregates; (b) subjecting the cell aggregates to culturing conditions suitable for generating embryoid bodies; (c) subjecting the embryoid bodies to culturing conditions suitable for inducing cardiac lineage differentiation in at least a portion of the cells of the embryoid bodies, the culturing conditions suitable for inducing cardiac lineage differentiation including adherence of the embryoid bodies to a surface, and culture, medium supplemented with serum, thereby generating cells predominantly displaying at least one characteristic associated with a cardiac phenotype.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding proliferative, multipotent connective tissue progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells and embryoid bodies are provided. Also provided are methods of generating functional tendon grafts in vitro and bone, cartilage and connective tissues in vivo using the isolated cell preparation of connective tissue progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: A method of expanding and maintaining human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in an undifferentiated state by culturing the ESCs in a suspension culture under culturing conditions devoid of substrate adherence is provided. Also provided are a method of deriving ESC lines in the suspension culture and methods of generating lineage-specific cells from ESCs which were expanded in the suspension culture of the present invention.