hPSC culture for differentiating blood, cardiomyocytes, and other mesoderm cells

Researchers in Prof. Irving Weissman's laboratory have developed cell culture techniques to rapidly and efficiently derive pure populations of mesodermal cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). This technology includes specific protocols with growth factors and chemical compounds that can differentiate hPSCs into hematopoietic (blood) mesoderm, cardiac mesoderm, or paraxial mesoderm (somites including skeletal muscle, bone, skin, blood vessels, etc.). The inventors have also identified cell-surface markers that can be used to further purify these cell lines. These methods can produce 80-90% pure cell populations in a few days (compared to conventional techniques, which invariably generate a heterogeneous mixture of cells unsuited for practical use). This technology could pave the way for providing an unlimited source of mesodermal cells for a broad range of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic applications.