Novel Culture System for Ex Vivo Development

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for the culture of animal pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny cells, tissues, and organs, and nonhuman animal embryos and fetuses.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cell co-culture comprising human pluripotent stem cells and an embryonated telolecithal egg. 
     
     
         2 . The cell co-culture of claim  34 , wherein the embryonated telolecithal egg is a chicken egg. 
     
     
         3 . The cell co-culture of claim  34 , wherein the human pluripotent stem cell is a human embryonic stem cell. 
     
     
         4 . The cell co-culture of claim  34 , wherein the human pluripotent stem cell contacts the vitelline membrane of the embryonated telolecithal egg.