METHODS FOR DETECTION OF RARE SUBPOPULATIONS OF CELLS AND HIGHLY PURIFIED COMPOSITIONS OF CELLS

摘要

Methods are provided for detection of a target cell type within a cell population, and compositions are provided comprising cells and an indicator that indicates the number of cells of the target cell type in the cell population. Examples are provided in which these methods are used to detect human embryonic stem cells within a differentiated cell population with exquisite sensitivity. Differentiated cells produced from embryonic stem cells can be characterized by these methods before transplantation into a recipient, thereby providing further assurance of safety.