Derivation of embryonic stem cells and embryo-derived cells

Abstract

This present invention provides novel methods for deriving embryonic stem cells and embryo-derived cells from an embryo without requiring destruction of the embryo. The invention further provides cells and cell lines derived without embryo destruction, and the use of the cells for therapeutic and research purposes. It also relates to novel methods of establishing and storing an autologous stem cell line prior to implantation of an embryo, e.g., in conjunction with reproductive therapies such as IVF.

1 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the human (ES) cells are produced by,
 (a) culturing a blastomere obtained from a human embryo in medium containing less than 5 mM glucose to generate a cluster of two or more blastomeres;   (b) directly or indirectly contacting the cultured cluster of two or more blastomeres with embryonic or fetal cells; and   (c) culturing the cluster of two or more blastomeres of (b) to produce ES cells,   wherein obtaining the blastomere from the human embryo yields a blastomere and a remaining human embryo, and the remaining human embryo is not destroyed by obtaining the blastomere.   
     
     
         2 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method of producing a desired differentiated cell or tissue, comprising inducing differentiation of human embryonic stem (ES) cells of into the desired cell or tissue, wherein the human ES cells are derived from a human embryo without destroying the human embryo. 
     
     
         37 . A differentiated cell or tissue produced by the method of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A method of treating a disorder amenable to cell therapy in a patient, comprising administering to the patient the differentiated cell or tissue of  claim 37 . 
     
     
         40 - 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . A method of producing an embryonic stem (ES) cell, comprising:
 (a) culturing a blastomere obtained from a mammalian embryo to generate a cluster of two or more blastomeres;   (b) directly or indirectly contacting the cultured cluster of two or more blastomeres with embryonic or fetal cells; and   (c) culturing the cluster of two or more blastomeres of (b) until ES cells are produced.   
     
     
         79 - 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein
 step (b) comprises aggregating the cluster of two or more blastomeres with the embryonic or fetal cells; and step (c) comprises   culturing the aggregated cluster of two or more blastomeres and the embryonic or fetal cells until the aggregated cluster of blastomeres exhibits properties of ES cells; and   isolating the ES cells derived from the blastomere from the embryonic or fetal cells.   
     
     
         101 - 117 . (canceled) 
     
     
         118 . A method of producing human embryonic stem (ES) cells, comprising:
 (a) culturing a blastomere obtained from a human embryo in medium containing less than 5 mM glucose to generate a cluster of two or more blastomeres;   (b) directly or indirectly contacting the cultured cluster of two or more blastomeres with medium sufficient to promote the growth and survival of the cultured cluster of two or more blastomeres; and   (c) culturing the cluster of two or more blastomeres of (b) to produce ES cells.   
     
     
         119 - 121 . (canceled)