REVIEW

Cell Research (2007): 682-688
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Xeno-free derivation and culture of human embryonic stem cells: current status, problems and challenges

Ting Lei¹, Sandrine Jacob², Imen Ajil-Zaraa¹, Jean-Bernard Dubuisson², Olivier Irion², Marisa Jaconi³ and Anis Feki^1,2

Correspondence: Anis Feki Tel: +1-41-22-38-24-392; Fax: +1-41-22-38-24-310 E-mail: anis.feki@hcuge.ch

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Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) not only hold great promise for the treatment of degenerative diseases but also provide a valuable tool for developmental studies. However, the clinical applications of hESC are at present limited by xeno-contamination during the in vitro derivation and propagation of these cells. In this review, we summarize the current methodologies for the derivation and the propagation of hESC in conditions that will eventually enable the generation of clinical-grade cells for future therapeutic applications.

Cell Research (2007) 17:682–688. doi: 10.1038/cr.2007.61; published online 31 July 2007

Keywords: embryonic stem cells, inner cell mass, derivation, feeder cells, xeno-free, differentiation