Abstract: As a technique for specifically detecting cancer cells, provided is a method for detecting cancer cells, including the steps of: bringing BC2LCN lectin into contact with a test sample; and determining the presence or absence or the amount of a sugar chain having a BC2LCN lectin binding activity in the test sample, in which the test sample is a body fluid sample of a test individual.

Abstract: As a technique for specifically detecting cancer cells, provided is a method for detecting cancer cells, including the steps of: bringing BC2LCN lectin into contact with a test sample; and determining the presence or absence or the amount of a sugar chain having a BC2LCN lectin binding activity in the test sample, in which the test sample is a body fluid sample of a test individual.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for introducing a target substance into undifferentiated cells, and a carrier therefor, whereby the target substance can be specifically introduced into the undifferentiated cells by contacting the undifferentiated cells with an rBC2LCN-target substance fusion product in which rBC2LCN lectin is fused to the target substance. Particularly, an rBC2LCN-toxin fusion product in which rBC2LCN lectin is fused to a toxin functioning in cells or its domain having the ability to kill cells functions as an agent for eliminating undifferentiated stem cells and can be administered into a medium after inducing the differentiation of the stem cells to reliably kill only the stem cells in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide a new lung-cancer biomarker, which has a high detection efficiency and determines the type (histological type) of lung cancer. [Solution] LIPH (lipase, member H), which is enhanced in a plurality of lung cancer-derived cell lines compared to that in normal lung-derived epithelial cells and is almost surely expressed highly in lung cancer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating a differentiation status of cells using a culture supernatant of stem cells. Provided is “undifferentiation sugar chain marker” composed of the sugar chain structure “Fuc?1-2Gal?1-3GlcNAc” or “Fuc?1-2Gal?1-3GalNAc” and capable of sensitively determining the undifferentiated state of stem cells using a culture supernatant of stem cells. Also found is BC2LCN lectin or a modified product thereof capable of sensitively recognizing the “undifferentiation sugar chain marker” as excellent “probe for detecting the undifferentiation sugar chain marker” capable of determining the undifferentiation status of cells using a culture supernatant.

Abstract: Provided are a method for accurately evaluating the differentiation status of stem cells by selectively staining only stem cells in an undifferentiated state, and a method for positively isolating only stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Specifically provided is a method for determining differentiation of a cell comprising a step of contacting a test cell with a probe comprising protein (A) or (B) below and a step of detecting the presence of binding of the probe to the test cell. The method for determining differentiation of a cell is capable of detecting the presence or absence of an undifferentiated stem cell in test cells by using a probe that specifically reacts with undifferentiated stem cells and detecting the presence of bonding to the test cell.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for introducing a target substance into undifferentiated cells, and a carrier therefor, whereby the target substance can be specifically introduced into the undifferentiated cells by contacting the undifferentiated cells with an rBC2LCN-target substance fusion product in which rBC2LCN lectin is fused to the target substance. Particularly, an rBC2LCN-toxin fusion product in which rBC2LCN lectin is fused to a toxin functioning in cells or its domain having the ability to kill cells functions as an agent for eliminating undifferentiated stem cells and can be administered into a medium after inducing the differentiation of the stem cells to reliably kill only the stem cells in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating a differentiation status of cells using a culture supernatant of stem cells. Provided is “undifferentiation sugar chain marker” composed of the sugar chain structure “Fuc?1-2Gal?1-3GlcNAc” or “Fuc?1-2Gal?1-3GalNAc” and capable of sensitively determining the undifferentiated state of stem cells using a culture supernatant of stem cells. Also found is BC2LCN lectin or a modified product thereof capable of sensitively recognizing the “undifferentiation sugar chain marker” as excellent “probe for detecting the undifferentiation sugar chain marker” capable of determining the undifferentiation status of cells using a culture supernatant.

Abstract: Provided are a method for accurately evaluating the differentiation status of stem cells by selectively staining only stem cells in an undifferentiated state, and a method for positively isolating only stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Specifically provided is a method for determining differentiation of a cell comprising a step of contacting a test cell with a probe comprising protein (A) or (B) below and a step of detecting the presence of binding of the probe to the test cell. The method for determining differentiation of a cell is capable of detecting the presence or absence of an undifferentiated stem cell in test cells by using a probe that specifically reacts with undifferentiated stem cells and detecting the presence of bonding to the test cell.

Abstract: A method of making a hair, including a step of culturing an undifferentiated cell of a mammal to produce an embryoid body and a step of further culturing the embryoid body is provided, wherein the culturing step is to culture the embryoid body on a three-dimensional matrix for 5 to 12 days. Furthermore, a biological material obtainable by the method of making a hair as described above is provided. Moreover, a biological material for a screening system of evaluating a medical product or the like, obtainable by utilizing the method of making a hair as described above is provided.

Abstract: A method for forming an organ and/or tissue from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in vitro, which comprises the step of culturing the undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in the presence of a retinoic acid X receptor ligand (e.g., a retinoic acid X receptor agonist or antagonist), and a method for forming a pancreas from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in vitro or a method for forming a tissue having morphology and function of a pancreas from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate in vitro, which comprises the step of culturing the undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in the presence of a retinoic acid receptor ligand, together with activin, that does not substantially bind to the retinoic acid receptor subtype ?.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a medium for a serum-free medium capable of culturing ES cells for a long period while maintaining their undifferentiated state without using feeder cells, and a basal medium for producing the medium thus described. The basal medium of the present invention is characterized by that it has composition shown by Table I. Further, the present invention discloses a medium for ES cells produced with the basal medium.

Abstract: A method of making a hair, including a step of culturing an undifferentiated cell of a mammal to produce an embryoid body and a step of further culturing the embryoid body is provided, wherein the culturing step is to culture the embryoid body on a three-dimensional matrix for 5 to 12 days. Furthermore, a biological material obtainable by the method of making a hair as described above is provided. Moreover, a biological material for a screening system of evaluating a medical product or the like, obtainable by utilizing the method of making a hair as described above is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for suppressing generation of a teratoma of an undifferentiated cell, preferably an ES cell. A biological material obtainable by the method and a therapeutic method for transplanting the biological material into a subject are also provided. An undifferentiated cell, in particular, preferably an ES cell is cultured to produce an increased embryoid body-like and the embryoid body-like is cultured for at least one week on, and adhered to, a three-dimensional solid type-I collagen carrier or an analogue thereof. Furthermore, a biological material is obtained thereby and the biological material is transplanted into a mammalian subject.

Abstract: A method for forming an organ and/or tissue from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in vitro, which comprises the step of culturing the undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in the presence of a retinoic acid X receptor ligand (e.g., a retinoic acid X receptor agonist or antagonist), and a method for forming a pancreas from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in vitro or a method for forming a tissue having morphology and function of a pancreas from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate in vitro, which comprises the step of culturing the undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in the presence of a retinoic acid receptor ligand, together with activin, that does not substantially bind to the retinoic acid receptor subtype ?.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pancreas induced in vitro that is useful for developmental engineering and organ engineering, and a method wherein a pancreas induced in vitro which contributes to the development of diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic disorders for higher animals, can artificially and efficiently be induced from a gastrula apart from the presumptive region of pancreas. An explant which has a secretory gland-like structure wherein several cells are gathered and which expresses insulin is formed in vitro by treating the blastopore upper lip of an early gastrula of a vertebrate such as Xenopus with retinoic acid in vitro, and then culturing. The treatment with retinoic acid can be carried out, for example, by treating with retinoic acid at a concentration of 10?5 M or above for three hours.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a medium for a serum-free medium capable of culturing ES cells for a long period while maintaining their undifferentiated state without using feeder cells, and a basal medium for producing the medium thus described. The basal medium of the present invention is characterized by that it has composition shown by Table I. Further, the present invention discloses a medium for ES cells produced with the basal medium.

Abstract: In order to grow an object to be cultivated or grown, a growth object is encapsulated in a vessel, and the growth object is grown without substantial influence of gravity.

Abstract: A method for forming an organ and/or tissue from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in vitro, which comprises the step of culturing the undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in the presence of a retinoic acid X receptor ligand (e.g., a retinoic acid X receptor agonist or antagonist), and a method for forming a pancreas from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in vitro or a method for forming a tissue having morphology and function of a pancreas from undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate in vitro, which comprises the step of culturing the undifferentiated cells derived from a vertebrate animal in the presence of a retinoic acid receptor ligand, together with activin, that does not substantially bind to the retinoic acid receptor subtype ?.

Abstract: In order to grow an object to be cultivated or grown, a growth object is encapsulated in a vessel, and the growth object is grown without substantial influence of gravity.