title: Embryonic stem cells: isolation, characterization and culture.
abstract: Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells isolated from the mammalian blastocyst. Traditionally, these cells have been derived and cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) supportive layers, which allow their continuous growth in an undifferentiated state. However, for any future industrial or clinical application hESCs should be cultured in reproducible, defined, and xeno-free culture system, where exposure to animal pathogens is prevented. From their derivation in 1998 the methods for culturing hESCs were significantly improved. This chapter wills discuss hESC characterization and the basic methods for their derivation and maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, and the Stem Cell Center, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amit
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Itskovitz-Eldor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D061252:Feeder Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media