Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods for forming a stem cell bank. The methods include obtaining a first stem cell from a multi-cell fertilized embryo, expanding the first stem cell into two or more descendant stem cells, and storing at least one of the descendant stem cells to form the stem cell bank. Also disclosed is a kit that can be used for making the stem cell bank during in vitro fertilization. If desired, the HLA serotype of the stem cells can be determined prior to storage.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of maintaining the phenotype of differentiated cells. Generally, the natural environment of the body is replicated for the differentiated cell. The differentiated cell is plated on a cell culture substrate comprising a laminin, such as laminin-521 or laminin-511. The substrate may also contain a cadherin. This maintains the phenotype of the differentiated cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides isolated laminin-421, methods for making recombinant laminin-421, and host cells that express recombinant laminin-421. The present disclosure also provides nucleic acid sequences encoding full length human laminin ?2 chain, expression vectors and host cells thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of maintaining the phenotype of differentiated cells. Generally, the natural environment of the body is replicated for the differentiated cell. The differentiated cell is plated on a cell culture substrate comprising a laminin, such as laminin-521 or laminin-511. The substrate may also contain a cadherin. This maintains the phenotype of the differentiated cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of differentiating cardiomyocyte progenitor cells and mature cardiomyocyte cells from pluripotent stem cells. The methods may include differentiating pluripotent stems cells on a substrate including (i) laminin-511 or 521 and (ii) laminin 221. The mature cardiomyocyte cells produced by the method may form a human heart muscle cell line for use in regenerative cardiology.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of laminin-521 in obtaining retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in totally defined and xeno-free conditions. A first cell culture medium contains a growth factor, and a second cell culture medium does not contain growth factor. The stem cells are first exposed to the first cell culture medium, then exposed to the second cell culture medium for a longer time period. After a number of weeks, clinical grade RPE cells are obtained from the stem cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods for forming a stem cell bank. The methods include obtaining a first stem cell from a multi-cell fertilized embryo, expanding the first stem cell into two or more descendant stem cells, and storing at least one of the descendant stem cells to form the stem cell bank. Also disclosed is a kit that can be used for making the stem cell bank during in vitro fertilization. If desired, the HLA serotype of the stem cells can be determined prior to storage.

Abstract: A chimeric protein is made from the combination of (i) a pathogen recognition module derived from a scavenger receptor and (ii) an anchor domain from a different scavenger receptor. The chimeric protein binds to specific pathogens and is useful in various treatments.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, that both maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency and enable self-renewal. In this regard, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or their functional domains, in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferated and maintained their pluripotency.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of laminin-521. Laminin-521 can maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency, enable self-renewal, and enable single cell survival of human embryonic stem cells. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency. Methods of enhancing genetic diagnosis by expanding a single stem cell on laminin-521 prior to PCR amplification are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to isolated laminin-521, methods for making recombinant laminin-521, host cells that express recombinant laminin-521, and compositions containing laminin-521. Laminin-521 can maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency, enable self-renewal, and enable single cell survival of human embryonic stem cells. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency. It has also been discovered that human recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11) provides single cell survival of stem cells after complete dissociation into a single cell suspension. Useful cell culture mediums containing at most 3.9 ng/ml of beta fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, for culturing stem cells in vitro in an undifferentiated state. In this regard, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or laminin-5 (laminin-322), or their functional domains, the embryonic stem cells proliferated and maintained their pluripotency.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of maintaining the phenotype of differentiated cells. Generally, the natural environment of the body is replicated for the differentiated cell. The differentiated cell is plated on a cell culture substrate comprising a laminin, such as laminin-521 or laminin-511. The substrate may also contain a cadherin. This maintains the phenotype of the differentiated cell.

Abstract: Antibodies against various domains of laminin-332 are discussed herein. The antibodies reduce the adhesion and matrix binding properties of laminin-332, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the antibodies for diagnostic, prophylactic, and/or therapeutic purposes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to isolated laminin-521, methods for making recombinant laminin-521, host cells that express recombinant laminin-521, and compositions containing laminin-521. Laminin-521 can maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency, enable self-renewal, and enable single cell survival of human embryonic stem cells. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with a matrix of recombinant laminin-521 (laminin 11), in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency. It has also been discovered that human recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11) provides single cell survival of stem cells after complete dissociation into a single cell suspension. Useful cell culture mediums containing at most 3.9 ng/ml of beta fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides isolated laminin-421, methods for making recombinant laminin-421, and host cells that express recombinant laminin-421. The present disclosure also provides nucleic acid sequences encoding full length human laminin ?2 chain, expression vectors and host cells thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to isolated laminin-521, methods for making recombinant laminin-521, host cells that express recombinant laminin-521, and compositions containing laminin-521. Laminin-521 can maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency, enable self-renewal, and enable single cell survival of human embryonic stem cells. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with a matrix of recombinant laminin-521 (laminin 11), in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency. It has also been discovered that human recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11) provides single cell survival of stem cells after complete dissociation into a single cell suspension. Useful cell culture mediums containing at most 3.9 ng/ml of beta fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to isolated laminin-521, methods for making recombinant laminin-521, host cells that express recombinant laminin-521, and compositions containing laminin-521. Laminin-521 can maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency, enable self-renewal, and enable single cell survival of human embryonic stem cells. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency. It has also been discovered that human recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11) provides single cell survival of stem cells after complete dissociation into a single cell suspension. Useful cell culture mediums containing at most 3.9 ng/ml of beta fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are also described herein.

Abstract: Antibodies against various domains of laminin-332 are discussed herein. The antibodies reduce the adhesion and matrix binding properties of laminin-332, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the antibodies for diagnostic, prophylactic, and/or therapeutic purposes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, that both maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency and enable self-renewal. In this regard, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or their functional domains, in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferated and maintained their pluripotency.