PLURIPOTENT RABBIT EMBRYONIC STEM (ES) CELL LINES AND THEIR USE IN THE GENERATION OF CHIMERIC RABBITS

摘要

The present invention relates to a rabbit embryonic stem (ES) cell line, comprising at least 70 %, preferably 80 to 90 % undifferentiated cells and obtainable by isolating the inner cell mass of 5.5 days postcoitus blastocysts and culturing them on feeder cells in rabbit ES medium. The invention further relates to further optimization of derivation and maintenance of the cell line and to the use thereof in inter alia generation of chimeric rabbits.