Derivation of Embryonic Stem-Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts

• Published in: The New England journal of medicine Vol. 350; no. 13; pp. 1353 - 1356
• Main Authors: Cowan, Chad A, Klimanskaya, Irina, McMahon, Jill, McMahon, Andrew P, Atienza, Jocelyn, Witmyer, Jeannine, Zucker, Jacob P, Wang, Shunping, Morton, Cynthia C, Powers, Doug, Melton, Douglas A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA Massachusetts Medical Society 25.03.2004
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blastocyst - cytology; Cell Line; Cell Lineage; Embryo, Mammalian - cytology; Embryos; General aspects; Humans; Medical research; Medical sciences; Proteins; Stem Cells; Human; Medicine; Cell line; Embryonic cell; Stem cell; Blastocyst; Established cell line; Hematopoietic cell; Genetics and Reproduction; Biomedical and Behavioral Research
• ISSN: 0028-4793; 1533-4406; 1533-4406
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsr040330

This report, first published online on March 3, 2004, discusses the procedures used to develop 17 lines of human embryonic stem cells from the inner cell masses of blastocysts. These cell lines are available to researchers under a Material Transfer Agreement; according to current regulations, the cells cannot be used for research supported by federal funds. These cells are expected to facilitate research on a variety of serious chronic diseases. The 17 new cell lines described here are being made available to researchers. Embryonic stem cells have the unique ability to form all adult cell types. Harnessing this potential may provide a source of cells to replace those that are lost or impaired as a result of disease. Moreover, the derivation of human embryonic stem cells opens a unique window into the study of early human development. At present, approximately 15 human embryonic stem-cell lines are publicly available, and they vary considerably in their usefulness for research and the extent of their characterization (see http://stemcells.nih.gov/registry/index.asp). To promote further research with human embryonic stem cells, we sought to derive and characterize more fully cell . . .