干细胞的前景.pdfVIP

Drug Discovery Enabling the promise of STEM CELLS The remarkable potential of stem cells to generate several hundred differentiated cell types is driving their use for regenerative medicine and for supporting the traditional drug discovery and development process (Figure 1). However, sustained progress in these areas is dependent on advances in the ability to: grow these cells; direct, and control their differentiation; and produce the quantities needed for clinical trials and therapies in a cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) environment. This article will examine advances taking place on both the lab bench and the pharmaceutical production floor that are helping to bring the promise of stem cells closer to reality. very cell type has its own unique needs defined culture system. The use of mouse feeder By Robert Shaw Ewhen grown in vitro and stem cells are no layers and animal serum are particularly prob- and Dr Jeff Till exception. Stem cells, and in particular lematic in the culturing of stem cells for possible human embryonic stem (ES) cells, have earned a therapeutic applications. reputation for being labour intensive and difficult While significant progress has been made to grow and control in culture. A number of fac- towards more defined culture conditions, develop- tors contribute to the labour-intensive upkeep of ment of animal-free culture systems has lagged. stem cell cultures: the cells must typically be fed Use of serum replacements has removed some vari- daily; manual rather than enzyme-based passaging ability associated with fetal bovine serum and has is often required; and differentiated colonies m