Abstract: A valve device (1) controls media flows of any type by a valve control piston (33) guided in a longitudinally movable manner in a valve housing (3) and controlling a media connection between media connection points (9, 11) in the valve housing (3). One media connection point is a pressure supply inlet (P). Another media connection point is a load outlet (A). The valve control piston (33) is guided in the valve housing (3) with pressure equalization by an equalizing apparatus (35) with respect to the media pressure at the pressure supply inlet (P).

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device (1) for controlling media flows of any type by means of at least one valve control piston (33), which is guided in a longitudinally movable manner in a valve housing (3) and which controls a media connection between at least two media connection points (9, 11) in the valve housing (3), of which at least one media connection point is a pressure supply inlet (P) and at least one other media connection point is a load outlet (A), wherein the valve control piston (33) is guided in the valve housing (3) with pressure equalization by means of at least one equalizing apparatus (35) at least with respect to the media pressure at the respective pressure supply inlet (P).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), Fgf 9, Bmp6, Bmp4, Scf, Igf2, and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. Genes that are upregulated in the process of cardiomyocyte differentiation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), Fgf 9, Bmp6, Bmp4, Scf, Igf2, and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. Genes that are upregulated in the process of cardiomyocyte differentiation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of differentiating stem cells, in particular hES cells, into cardiomyocytes and into neural progenitors by growing the hES cells in the presence of a defined medium that is substantially free of xeno- and serum-components and thus comprises a clinically compliant medium. The defined media comprises defined factors that contribute to the promotion of differentiation to cardiomyocytes and neural progenitors. The invention also includes defined culture media and cell populations and methods of using them.