METHODS AND KITS FOR DETECTING FETAL CELLS IN THE MATERNAL BLOOD

摘要

A method of identifying a trophoblast, the method comprising: (a) detecting in cells of a maternal blood sample expression of a trophoblast marker cytokeratin-7, with the proviso that said maternal blood sample does not comprise a placental tissue; and (b)classifying cells exhibiting expression of said trophoblast marker as trophoblasts; thereby identifying the trophoblast. Furthermore, based on the identification of the trophoblast, methods of isolating such trophoblast, pregnancy testing, diagnosing conceptus and methods of culturing trophoblasts are claimed.