Abstract: The present invention provides a cell marker that is characterized by binding to a GCTM-5 antibody of active fragment. The cell marker identifies a unique sub-population of stem cells that show characteristics of hepatic or pancreatic stem cells or hepatic or pancreatic progenitor cells. More specifically the marker is an early liver marker, which could prove a useful tool for the isolation and identification of liver and pancreatic progenitors for both diseased adult liver and differentiating human embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell marker that is characterized by binding to a GCTM-5 antibody of active fragment. The cell marker identifies a unique sub-population of stem cells that show characteristics of hepatic or pancreatic stem cells or hepatic or pancreatic progenitor cells. More specifically the marker is an early liver marker, which could prove a useful tool for the isolation and identification of liver and pancreatic progenitors for both diseased adult liver and differentiating human embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation of undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells sustainable for a prolonged period in an undifferentiated state which will undergo stem cell renewal or somatic differentiation. Preferably the cells are capable of somatic differentiation in vitro and are inclined to differentiate away from an extraembryonic lineage. The present invention also provides method of culturing embryonic stem (ES) cells to improve stem cell maintenance and persistence in culture. The method also provides a culture of ES cells prepared by the method as well as differentiated cells derived from the embryonic cells resulting from directed differentiation procedures provided by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells, methods of cultivation and propagation and production of differentiated cells. In particular it relates to the production of human ES cells capable of yielding somatic differentiated cells in vitro, as well as committed progenitor cells such as neural progenitor cells capable of giving rise to mature somatic cells including neural cells and/or glial cells and uses thereof. This invention provides methods that generate in vitro and in vivo models of controlled differentiation of ES cells towards the neural lineage. The model, and cells that are generated along the pathway of neural differentiation may be used for: the study of the cellular and molecular biology of human neural development, discovery of genes, growth factors, and differentiation factors that play a role in neural differentiation and regeneration, drug discovery and the development of screening assays for teratogenic, toxic and neuroprotective effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, media and compositions capable of modulating the differentiation of stem cells. Applicants have discovered that agonists of lysophospholipid receptors and ligands of class III tyrosine kinase receptors are useful in preventing the spontaneous differentiation of stem cells. The ligands and agonists may be used alone, or in combination where they have a synergistic effect. Also provided are cells produced using the methods and media, and methods of treating stem cell related diseases using the compositions described herein. Methods of identifying compounds useful in finding other agents useful in the modulation of stem cell differentiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells, methods of cultivation and propagation and production of differentiated cells. In particular it relates to the production of human ES cells capable of yielding somatic differentiated cells in vitro, and committed progenitor cells such as neural progenitor cells capable of giving rise to mature somatic cells including neural cells and/or glial cells and uses thereof. The invention also provides methods that generate in vitro and in vivo models of controlled differentiation of ES cells towards the neural lineage. The model and the cells generated along the pathway of neural differentiation may be used for the study of the cellular and molecular biology of human neural development, for the discovery of genes, growth factors, and differentiation factors that play a role in neural differentiation and regeneration, for drug discovery and for the development of screening assays for teratogenic, toxic and neuroprotective effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells, methods of cultivation and propagation, production of differentiated cells and in particular the production of human embryonic stem cells capable of yielding somatic differentiated cells in vitro, as well as committed progenitor cells capable of giving rise to mature somatic cells and uses thereof. The present invention also provides a purified preparation of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells capable of proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, the present invention provides a somatic cell differentiated in vitro from an undifferentiated embryonic stem cell. There is also provided a committed progenitor cell capable of giving rise to mature somatic cells.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to neural stem cells, preferably fetal neural stem cells and their progeny thereof. The present invention provides methods of isolating culturing and propagating neural stem cells and the development of neural stem cell lines and lineages. The present invention also relates to the use of neural stem cells and somatic cells and cells expressing the telomerase catalytic component (TERT) for gene targeting and gene knockout experiments and for producing genetically modified animals.

Abstract: A sub-population of HES cells is identified which is positive for specific HES markers. These cell types are identified by expression of particular GCTM-2 antigens. A method based on the identification of GCTM-2 can differentiate between substantially undifferentiated or differentiated cell populations. Spontaneous differentiation often occurs in HES cultures resulting in non-homogeneous cell cultures. The invention also provides further sub populations of cells within differentiated cultures of HES cells that are SCL or epithelial in nature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulation of the growth and/or differentiation of pluripotential cells by factors capable of inhibiting an activity of bone morphogenetic protein-2.