Methods for the in-vitro identification, isolation and differentiation of vasculogenic progenitor cells

Patent Number: 7,247,477

The patent covers generation of angiogenic cells from embryonic stem cells using a novel method. Specifically the patent covers a way to generate such angiogenic cells by:

1) culturing individual ES cells in an unaggregated state under conditions that induce differentiation into vasculagenic progenitors (the claim is not limited by what those conditions are!)

2) isolating cells smaller than 50 micro meters, said cells being concentrated for vasculogenic potential.

The patent also covers in a dependent claim the use of collagen and variation in concentration for modulating differentation, as well as isolation of specific cell sizes via techniques such as filtration, morphometry and/or densitometry.

View this patent on the USPTO website.