Abstract: The present invention provides a method for promoting the survival and/or expansion of hematopoietic stem cells in culture, comprising culturing the cells in a culture including an effective amount of a mpl ligand, (particularly thrombopoietin), a flt3 ligand and interleukin 6 (IL6). Also provided is a method for modifying hematopoietic stem cells comprising contacting a gene delivery vehicle comprising a polynucleotide sequence with a population of hematopoietic stem cells cultured in the presence of an effective amount of thrombopoietin and a flt3 ligand. Additionally methods of restoring hematopoietic capability in a subject are claimed.

Abstract: A device is provided for use in a centrifuge to separate or isolate material (such as pelleted cells, particulates, aggregates, compounds, blood components, and the like) from the liquid in which they are suspended while limiting or preventing loss of any of the resulting separated or pelleted material during further manipulations. The device can be inserted into a standard centrifugation bucket in a centrifuge and holds a flexible centrifuge bag. The device includes at least one damp assembly, which includes a partition that is maintained in an open position during centrifugation and in a closed position at unit gravity, thus isolating separated or pelleted material at the bottom of the flexible bag in the device after centrifugation and preventing the isolated material from being disturbed during liquid changes and other manipulations.

Abstract: A macrophage colony stimulating factor, M-CSF.gamma., which is a primary translation product of an alternative mRNA splicing event and is a precursor to biologically active M-CSF. DNA sequences encoding M-CSF.gamma. and recombinant expression vectors comprising the DNA sequences.