ALGINATE POLY-L-LYSINE ENCAPSULATION AS A TECHNOLOGY FOR CONTROLLED DIFFERENTIATION OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

摘要

Alginate polyelectrolyte encapsulation is used for the controlled differentiation of embryonic stem cells. An isolated cell population is provided. The cell population includes a single cell suspension of ES cells encapsulated within an alginate polyelectrolyte microenvironment. The encapsulated ES cells are capable of differentiating within said microenvironment into hepatocyte lineage cells in the absence of embryoid body intermediates or growth factor supplementation.