Systems and methods for producing stem cells and differentiated cells

Abstract

The present invention provides various improved systems and methods for obtaining, generating, culturing, and handling cells, such as stem cells (including induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs) and differentiated cells, as well as cells and cell panels produced using such systems and methods, and uses of such cells and cell panels.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An induced pluripotent stem cell produced using an automated system comprising:
 a cell plating unit for placing cells on a plate; and   an induction unit for automated reprogramming of cells by contacting on the plating unit with reprogramming factors to product iPSCs.   
     
     
         22 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 a sorting unit for selectively sorting and isolating the iPSCs produced by the induction unit by identifying iPSC specific markers.   
     
     
         23 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 22 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 an expansion unit for expanding the isolation iPSCs, and selecting the expanded iPSCs.   
     
     
         24 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 a freezing unit for freezing the isolated iPSCs.   
     
     
         25 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 a confluency check unit which checks the confluency of the iPSCs to determine whether the iPSCs have a confluency characteristic.   
     
     
         26 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 25 , wherein the confluency check unit periodically checks the confluency of the iPSCs. 
     
     
         27 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 25 , wherein the confluency check unit periodically checks the confluency of the iPSCs on a more frequent basis over time. 
     
     
         28 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 25 , wherein the confluency check unit checks whether the confluency characteristic is within the range of 70% to 100%. 
     
     
         29 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the induction unit uses a viral vector to initiate reprogramming. 
     
     
         30 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 29 , wherein the induction unit uses a retrovirus or a Sendai virus to initiate re-programming. 
     
     
         31 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the induction unit uses small molecules, peptides, proteins or nucleic acids to initiate re-programming. 
     
     
         32 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 an electroporation unit for electroporating the cells.   
     
     
         33 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the sorting unit comprises a magnetic sorting unit. 
     
     
         34 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 a cell banking unit for obtaining cells used by the plating unit.   
     
     
         35 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 34 , wherein the banking unit comprises:
 a biopsy plating unit for placing biopsies on a plate;   an outgrowth and passaging unit for growing cells; and   a  mycoplasma  test unit for testing the presence of  mycoplasma.      
     
     
         36 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 35 , wherein the  mycoplasma  test unit comprises a glow luminescence testing device. 
     
     
         37 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 35 , wherein the automated system further comprises:
 a distribution unit for distributing expanded cells; and   a storage and retrieval system for storing the cells.   
     
     
         38 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 37 , wherein the storage and retrieval system freezes the cells. 
     
     
         39 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 21 , wherein the cells are somatic cells. 
     
     
         40 . The induced pluripotent stem cell of  claim 39 , wherein the somatic cells are fibroblasts.