Patent ID: 6787355
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: A61K,A61P,C12N

Abstract:
A method of producing a population of at least ten cells, wherein at least 30% of the cells are multipotent stem cells substantially purified from skin or tongue tissue of a postnatal mammal or progeny of said multipotent stem cells, wherein said multipotent stem cells are self-renewing, form non-adherent clusters, express nestin, and can differentiate into neuronal and mesodermal cell types, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing skin or tongue tissue from said mammal; (b) culturing said skin or tongue tissue under conditions comprising bFGF, EGF or TGF&agr; in which multipotent stem cells proliferate and in which at least 25% of the cells that are not multipotent stem cells die or attach to the culture substrate; and (c) continuing culture step (b) until at least 30% of the cells are multipotent stem cells which are self renewing, form non-adherent clusters, express nestin and can differentiate into neuronal and mesodermal cell types, or progeny of said multipotent stem cells.