Composite blastocysts (CBs) from aggregates of dissociated cells of non-viable pre-embryos

US6759244B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Art Institute of New York and New Jersey, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mina Alikani · New York, US
• Steen Willadsen · Dade City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 8, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 6, 2004
• Expiry date: Feb 13, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2503/04
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A preparation and a method of making composite blastocysts (CBs) from aggregates of dissociated cells of non-viable pre-embryos are disclosed. The CB is characterized morphologically by having two distinct tissue types, the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE), and a blastocoelic cavity (BC). The method of making CBs is an aggregation process (AP) comprising inter alia the following steps: 1) dissociation of discarded pre-embryos; 2) isolation of single nucleated cells from dissociated discarded pre-embryos; 3) microsurgical encapsulation of several cells within a host zona pellucida or artificial aggregation with or without a non-zona vessel; and 5) primary culture of the cell aggregates for multiplication and differentiation of cells. One particularly advantageous embodiment is that the starting material is non-viable pre-embryos. Another advantageous embodiment is that the AP allows individual cells from non-viable pre-embryos to further multiply, and become integrated into CBs. The novel CBs and the novel aggregation process disclosed.