MICROCARRIERS FOR STEM CELL CULTURE

摘要

MICROCARRIERS FOR STEM CELL CULTUREWe disclose a particle comprising a matrix coated thereon and having a positive charge, the particle being of a size to allow aggregation of primate or human stem cells attached thereto. The particle may comprise a substantially elongate, cylindrical or rod shaped particle having a longest dimension of between 50µm and 40012m, such as about 200gm. It may have a cross sectional dimension of between 2Outm and 301.1m. The particle may comprise a substantially compact or spherical shaped particle having a size of between about 2012m and about 120pm, for example about 65)Am. We also disclose a method of propagating primate or human stem cells, the method comprising: providing first and second primate or human stem cells attached to first and second respective particles, allowing the first primate or human stem cell to contact the second primate or human stem cell to form an aggregate of cells and culturing the aggregate to propagate the primate or human stem cells for at least one passage. A method of propagating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in long term suspension culture using microcarriers coated in Matrigel or hyaluronic acid is also disclosed. We also disclose a method for differentiating stem cells. Figure 1