Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the proliferation and survival of pancreatic progenitor cells can be enhanced by contacting the cells with, (1) a caspase inhibitor sufficient to reduce apoptosis in the pancreatic endocrine cells; and, (2) a growth factor in an amount sufficient to increase the level of activated Akt in the pancreatic endocrine cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stems cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin producing cells or into insulin producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stem cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin-producing cells or into insulin-producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stem cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin-producing cells or into insulin-producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the proliferation and survival of pancreatic progenitor cells can be enhanced by contacting the cells with, (1) a caspase inhibitor sufficient to reduce apoptosis in the pancreatic endocrine cells; and, (2) a growth factor in an amount sufficient to increase the level of activated Akt in the pancreatic endocrine cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stem cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin-producing cells or into insulin-producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stems cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin producing cells or into insulin producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stems cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin producing cells or into insulin producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stem cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin-producing cells or into insulin-producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of selecting pancreatic endocrine cells from total pancreatic cells by incubation with protein synthesis inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that an intermediate, differentiated stage of pancreatic stem cells exist that can be matured in situ into a stable cell line that produces insulin in response to glucose. These cells are advantageous in that they are both expandable and stable in culture. This invention avoids the step of culturing the intermediate stage stem cells into later stage pancreatic cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that an intermediate, differentiated stage of pancreatic stem cells exist that can be propagated in a stable manner in successive serial passaging while maintaining insulin production in response to glucose. These cells are advantageous in that they are both expandable and stable in culture and can driven to late stage development, i.e. prototype islet cells. This invention further provides for culturing techniques that select for these intermediate differentiated stage cells and selectively eliminates early or late stage pancreatic cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that an intermediate, differentiated stage of pancreatic stem cells exist that can be propagated in a stable manner in successive serial passaging while maintaining insulin production in response to glucose. These cells are advantageous in that they are both expandable and stable in culture and can driven to late stage development, i.e. prototype islet cells. This invention further provides for culturing techniques that select for these intermediate differentiated stage cells and selectively eliminates early or late stage pancreatic cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stems cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin producing cells or into insulin producing cell aggregates.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that an intermediate, differentiated stage of pancreatic stem cells exist that can be matured in situ into a stable cell line that produces insulin in response to glucose. These cells are advantageous in that they are both expandable and stable in culture. This invention avoids the step of culturing the intermediate stage stem cells into later stage pancreatic cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that an intermediate, differentiated stage of pancreatic stem cells exist that can be propagated in a stable manner in successive serial passaging while maintaining insulin production in response to glucose. These cells are advantageous in that they are both expandable and stable in culture and can driven to late stage development, i.e. prototype islet cells. This invention further provides for culturing techniques that select for these intermediate differentiated stage cells and selectively eliminates early or late stage pancreatic cells.

Abstract: An injectable grade medium for maintaining cells comprising: (a) a sugar; (b) a serum albumin; (c) a calcium salt; (d) a phosphate salt; (e) a source of iron; (f) at least one salt of a Group I element; (g) at least one salt of a Group II element; (h) at least one amino acid; and (i) at least one vitamin. Components (a) through (i) are present in the medium in amounts in order to provide an osmolality of the medium of from about 320 mOsm/kg to about 550 mOsm/kg. Such an injectable grade medium has an increased osmolality as compared with conventional media, and thus such medium may be employed in order to maintain cells over extended periods of time and for injecting such cells into a desired transplantation site of a patient, whereby such cells are transplanted into the patient, and are capable of functioning in the patient.

Abstract: A method for sustained release of molecules from gels or microcapsules has been developed. The method is based on controlling the gel state using chelating agents or ion transfer. The method is particularly useful for controlling the rate of release of insolubilized proteins into physiological solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for loading capsules having a semipermeable membrane with a chemically active substance to be released over time. The method first involves gradually deflating and dehydrating the capsules and subsequently soaking the deflated capsules in a solution containing the substance to be encapsulated. After loading, the permeability of the capsule may be adjusted to accommodate the requirements of the end use. The loaded capsules of this invention may be used in a variety of applications, including use as a bioimplantable drug or biochemical delivery system.

Abstract: A core material such as viable cells is encapsulated by gelling an alginate polymer with a polyvalent cation to form shape-retaining gelled masses containing the core material, expanding and hydrating the gelled masses by contacting the masses with an aqueous saline solution, and forming a membrane about the expanded gelled massed to form capsules by contacting the gelled masses with a polycationic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 3,000 daltons. Expanding before membrane formation, permits better control of permeability properties and uniformity of the membrane. The gelled masses within the membrane may be liquified by contacting the capsules with a chelating agent which is preferably ethylene glycol bis-(.beta.-amino ethyl ether)-N,N-tetra-acetic acid. A second membrane layer may be formed by contacting the capsules with a second polycationic polymer. The second membrane may be coated with a polyanionic polymer such as alginate.