TRANSFECTION OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

摘要

Methods are provided for introducing a polynucleotide into a population of human embryonic stem cells to change the gene expression of the cells while optionally retaining the pluripotent characteristic of the cells. The methods are used to separate embryonic stem cells from a mixed population containing differentiated cells in which the gene expression is under an embryonic stem cell specific promotor. Methods and cell populations are described for cell therapy including introducing a suicide gene into pluripotent cells so that when these are placed in a subject, the cells can be destroyed if they become hyperproliferative and knocking out genes associated with immune recognition by the host. Methods for following differentiation pathways are described using embryonig stem cells transfected with a marker.