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Updated: May 22, 2026
11:56
Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Immunosurgery
Published on: December 13, 2007
Principles for derivation of human embryonic stem cells.
Mikael C O Englund1, Catharina Ellerström, Katarina Andersson
1Cellartis AB, Dundee, UK. mikael.englund@cellartis.com
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|April 25, 2012
Summary
This chapter details the derivation and maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Protocols are provided for researchers skilled in cell culture, even without advanced IVF equipment, covering characterization and banking.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Culture
Background:
- Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold significant therapeutic potential.
- Establishing reliable derivation and maintenance protocols is crucial for research and clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide detailed, reproducible protocols for the derivation and maintenance of hESCs.
- To outline methods for characterization and banking of hESCs.
- To offer accessible protocols for researchers lacking advanced IVF infrastructure.
Main Methods:
- Standard mammalian cell culture techniques.
- Specific protocols for hESC derivation from blastocysts.
- Methods for hESC characterization (e.g., marker expression, pluripotency assays).
- Procedures for cryopreservation and banking of hESC lines.
Main Results:
- Successfully outlined detailed protocols for hESC derivation and maintenance.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of these protocols for researchers with general mammalian cell culture skills.
- Included methods applicable to labs without specialized IVF equipment.
Conclusions:
- The provided protocols enable successful derivation, characterization, and banking of hESCs.
- These guidelines facilitate wider access to hESC research for scientists globally.
- Standardized methods ensure consistency and reliability in hESC research.
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00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
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Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
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