Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6245566

Human embryonic germ cell line and methods of use

Gearhart, John D.; Baltimore, MD, USA
Shamblott, Michael Joseph; Baltimore, MD, USA

Described herein are methods of producing human pluripotent embryonic germ cells via a process of culturing the human primordial germ cells in a medium containing a growth factor and a ligand that binds to a glycoprotein 130 receptor. The invention relates to primordial germ cells isolated from human embryonic tissue, such as from the gonadal ridges of a human embryo, and which are then cultured to produce cells that resemble embryonic stem cells or embryonic germ cells in morphology and pluripotency. Further disclosed are methods by which the cells may be maintained for several months in culture and can be genetically manipulated using transgenic technology to insert heterologous genetic material. Therapeutic applications in the genetic manipulation of cells and their genome are included.

Application Number: US1998000052772

Date Filed: 03/31/98

Dated Published: 06/12/01

Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA