Method for culturing stem cells
US8956867B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N2533/90
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A three-dimensional microwell system that supports long term pluripotent cell culture and formation of homogeneous embryoid bodies (EBs) is described. Microwell-cultured pluripotent cells remain viable and undifferentiated for several weeks in culture and maintain undifferentiated replication when passaged to Matrigel®-coated, tissue culture-treated polystyrene dishes. Microwell-cultured pluripotent cells maintain pluripotency, differentiating to each of the three embryonic germ layers. Pluripotent cell aggregates released from microwells can be passaged for undifferentiated replication or differentiated to monodisperse EBs. The ability to constrain pluripotent cell growth in three dimensions advantageously provides for more efficient, reproducible culture of undifferentiated cells, high-throughput screening, and the ability to direct pluripotent cell differentiation by generating monodisperse EBs of a desired size and shape. Cardiomyocyte-rich EBs are obtained from pluripotent cells cultured in microwells of defined size and shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.