Optimal Growth Media for Human Embryonic Stem Cells Found
Related News: Stem Cell ResearchStem cell researchers at Yale determined the minimal nutritional requirements for growing and maintaining human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The growth media is any form of clinical application and for developmental studies.
hESCs divide continuously through many generations and can differentiate into many different types of cell. In order to sustain the hESCs' growth, the mix of nutrients or media they are grown in must be sterile and clear of any toxins or materials that might cause an immune response.
The research team, led by Michael Snyder, a professor of cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, documented the mixture that they call hESC cocktail (HESCO). This media contains purified recombinant, chemically-synthesized human factors to support the cell development.
The success of the recipes that they tried dependeded on how well the hESCs were able to preserve their developmental characteristics and stem cell markers. In order for them to be label as a successful test, the mixtures had to maintain normal cell chromosome profiles, or karyotypes, in the cells and fully support the ability of the cells to differentiate.
Minimal Cocktail for Growing Human Embryonic Stem Cells Established
Posted on March 28, 2006 11:58 AM