Kits for Pluripotent Stem Cell Research
ES Cell 3D Collagen Culture Kit
The ES Cell 3D Collagen Culture Kit is intended for the investigation of ES cell differentiation and for the formation of tissue-like structures in a three-dimensional environment in vitro. This kit contains reagents necessary for collagen matrix formation and for the monitoring of ES cell differentiation status by analysis of the ES cell markers SSEA-1, SSEA-4 and Alkaline Phosphatase.
The value of a 3D culture system utilizing a collagen matrix to analyze ES cell differentiation has been demonstrated (Chen et al., 2003, Stem Cells). Rhesus monkey ES cells seeded on top of the collagen matrix were able to penetrate into the gel matrix following 19 days of culture. Microscopic examination revealed a large number of dense structures as well as tubular or spherical glandular-like structures within the gel. It was noted that both structure types were morphologically similar to structures found in teratomas formed by murine ES cells in SCID mice (Thompson et al., 1998, Curr. Top. Dev.Biol).
ES Cell Marker Sample Kit
The ES Cell Marker Sample Kit includes monoclonal antibodies to SSEA-1, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81 and Oct-4. It permits the specific and sensitive phenotypic assessment of ES cell marker expression. This economical kit is ideal for the assessment of multiple pluripotent stem cell markers and for the development of a phenotyping strategy.
Methlyation Detection:
Oct-4 Amplification Kit
There is increasing evidence to suggest that the expression of the pluripotent stem cell marker Oct-4 is controlled by methylation of its promoter region. To detect the methylation status of this key stem cell marker, Millipore offers the CpG WIZ® Oct-4 Amplification Kit, which provides Oct-4-specific primers needed for Methylation-specific PCR.*
Telomerase Detection
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that adds telomere repeats to chromosome ends and is responsible for maintaining telomere length, which plays an important role in the replicative life span of cells (Harley, 1991, Mut. Res). In contrast to diploid somatic cells, germ line and embryonic cells express high levels of telomerase (Wright, 1996, Dev. Genetics). Since their derivation, human and murine ES cells have been shown to exhibit high levels of telomerase activity (Carpenter, 2003, Cloning and Stem Cells). Millipore’s range of TRAPeze® Telomerase Detection Kits are highly sensitive in vitro assay systems for detecting telomerase activity in mammalian cells.
Human Embryonic Germ Layer Characterization Kit
The Human Embryonic Germ Layer Characterization Kit allows researchers to assess the differentiation potential of their human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to form derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers. These primary germ layers will eventually give rise to all the tissues and organs of the body.
The kit consists of a set of antibodies routinely used by stem cell researchers to identify the lineage fates of hESC following either spontaneous or directed differentiation. Included are the mesoderm markers Smooth Muscle Actin and Cardiac Troponin I; endoderm marker a Fetoprotein; and ectoderm markers Nestin and MAP-2.
*The CpG WIZ Methylation Products apply technologies exclusively licensed from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) technology is covered by U.S. Patent # 5,786,146.
Pluripotent Steam Cell Growth Factors
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor — an Essential Pluripotent Stem Cell Growth Factor
The ability of Millipore’s proprietary growth factor Leukemia Inhibitory Factor [LIF] to support the in vitro maintenance of pluripotent murine ES cells is well established (Evans and Kaufman, 1981, Nature). When used in culture, murine LIF acts to inhibit spontaneous differentiation and, therefore, maintains the pluripotent phenotype of murine ES cells.
It has also been demonstrated that human LIF may play an important role in the expansion of human EG cells (Shamblott et al., 1998, PNAS) and the establishment of human ES cells in combination with basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (Schuldiner et al., 2000, PNAS).
ESGRO® mLIF Medium Supplement
Exclusive to Millipore, ESGRO mLIF Medium Supplement is a ready-to-use formulation of murine LIF at an optimized concentration and activity. When used for the in vitro culture of murine ES cells, ESGRO supplement can replace the need for fibroblast feeder layers or medium conditioned by various other cell types.
ES (R1) cell colonies (10x) cultured using ESGRO mLIF Medium Supplement (1000 units/mL), in the absence of a Primary
Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (PMEF) feeder layer (left) and with PMEF feeders (right). In either the absence or presence of
a PMEF feeder layer, a well-rounded ES cell colony morphology is seen in both examples due to ESGRO supplement
acting to inhibit cell differentiation.
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Featured Products
- Fast-Trap Lentivirus Purification and Concentration Kit
- Fast-Trap Adenovirus Purification and Concentration Kit
- EasyCyte Plus Flow Cytometry System
- ECM Cell Culture Optimization Arrays
- ESGRO Complete
- GCTM-5 Antibody, clone GCTM-5
- Guava Viacount Assay
- MilliTrace Constitutive GFP Reporter
- MultiScreenHTS + and MultiScreen Vacuum Manifolds
- ENStem-A hES-derived Human Neural Progenitors
Pathways
