The present invention provides culture mediums that are useful for the expression of ADAMTS proteins, such as ADAMTS13. Methods for the expression and purification of ADAMTS proteins are also provided. In some embodiments, the mediums and methods of the invention are useful for the expression of ADAMTS proteins having high specific activities. Also provided are ADAMTS, e.g., ADAMTS13, protein compositions with high specific activities, which are expressed and purified according to the methods provided herein.

It is described a composite hydrogel containing egg white and alginate (EWA) polymers, and a method of producing same, wherein the alginate is cross-linked using frozen calcium chloride disks, creating a scaffold for cells comprising a slow-rate ions diffusion through the matrix, ensuring a homogenous crosslink and smooth surface.

This invention provides a system for efficiently producing differentiated cells from pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Rather than permitting the cells to form embryoid bodies according to established techniques, differentiation is effected directly in monolayer culture on a suitable solid surface. The cells are either plated directly onto a differentiation-promoting surface, or grown initially on the solid surface in the absence of feeder cells and then exchanged into a medium that assists in the differentiation process. The solid surface and the culture medium can be chosen to direct differentiation down a particular pathway, generating a cell population that is remarkably uniform. The methodology is well adapted to bulk production of committed precursor and terminally differentiated cells for use in drug screening or regenerative medicine.

The present invention provides novel methods for improving the efficiency of artificial activation of unfertilized mammalian oocytes by reducing the intracellular concentration of Zn.sup.2+ in the oocyte. The methods of the invention may additionally comprise a preceding step of increasing the intracellular concentration of Ca.sup.2+ in the oocyte prior to reduction of the intracellular Zn.sup.2+ concentration. The invention further provides unfertilized oocytes activated by the disclosed methods and viable mammalian animals produced from unfertilized oocytes activated by the disclosed methods.

The present invention provides a culture method of cells and/or tissues including culturing cells and/or tissues in a suspended state by using a medium composition wherein indeterminate structures are formed in a liquid medium, the structures are uniformly dispersed in the solution and substantially retain the cells and/or tissues without substantially increasing the viscosity of the solution, thus affording an effect of preventing sedimentation thereof, and the like

Methods of producing human stem cells are disclosed for parthenogenetically activating human oocytes by manipulation of O.sub.2 tension, including manipulation of Ca.sup.2+ under high O.sub.2 tension and contacting oocytes with serine threonine kinase inhibitors under low O.sub.2 tension, isolating inner cell masses (ICMs) from the activated oocytes, and culturing the cells of the isolated ICMs under high O.sub.2 tension. Moreover, methods are described for the production of stems cells from activated oocytes in the absence of non-human animal products, including the use of human feeder cells/products for culturing ICM/stem cells. Stem cells produced by the disclosed methods are also described.

The present invention relates to a cell culture medium, in particular for culturing autologous fibroblasts, for use in aesthetic medicine for skin transplantation, said culture medium being serum-free and being characterized in that it contains glucose in a much lower quantity than conventional culture media.

Stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) for treatment of several neurological, muscular and infertility diseases and conditions is provided. In particular, the stabilized ACC may be used in the treatment of axonal defects and muscular dystrophy. In addition, provided are improved methods used in assistant reproductive technology. Examples of such methods are in vitro fertilization and improvement of sperm quality. The improved IVF method, for example, comprises addition of the stabilized ACC to the cell culture medium in which the stages of fertilization and embryo development occurs.

The invention in relates in part to a method for rejuvenating hair follicles, the method comprising the steps of: (1) obtaining androgen non-inhibited cells from hair follicle tissue; (2) culturing the androgen non-inhibited cells to produce an expanded population of androgen-non-inhibited cells; and (3) implanting the expanded population of androgen non-inhibited cells proximal to miniaturised and/or miniaturising hair follicles.

The present invention provides a culture method of cells and/or tissues including culturing cells and/or tissues in a suspended state by using a medium composition wherein indeterminate structures are formed in a liquid medium, the structures are uniformly dispersed in the solution and substantially retain the cells and/or tissues without substantially increasing the viscosity of the solution, thus affording an effect of preventing sedimentation thereof, and the like.