Protocol describes a method for assembling aggregates between ES cells and diploid embryos. The resulting chimeras are useful for separating certain extraembryonic phenotypes from phenotypes in the embryo proper, since the diploid embryo contributes to all parts of the conceptus, but the ES cell component does not contribute to the trophoblast or yolk sac endoderm. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells and Diploid Embryos Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for producing ES cell-tetraploid embryo chimeras. It requires the timed combination of four-cell-stage tetraploid embryo production and the procedure for ES cell-diploid embryo aggregation in which diploid embryos are replaced with tetraploid embryos. The resulting chimeras can be used to analyze the embryonic versus extraembryonic phenotype of a mutation. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells and Tetraploid Embryos Protocol]
Calcium phosphate forms an insoluble precipitate with DNA, which attaches to the cell surface and is taken into the cells by endocytosis. The protocol is easily adapted for use with other types of cells, both adherent and nonadherent. This protocol is a modified version of a method published by Jordan et al. (1996) who rigorously optimized calcium-phosphate-based transfection methods for Chinese hamster ovary cells and the 293 line of human embryonic kidney cells. - [Read Calcium-phosphate-mediated Transfection of Eukaryotic Cells with Plasmid DNAs]
Protocol describes a method for collecting blastocysts from pregnant female mice at 3.5 to 4.5 days post coitum (dpc). The blastocysts can then be injected with embryonic stem cells to make chimeras. - [Read Collecting Blastocysts Protocol]
Culture conditions have been established for a second blastocyst-derived cell line, trophoblast stem (TS) cells, in addition to embryonic stem (ES) cells. This protocol describes a method for culturing TS cell lines. These cells can then be used to study trophoblast differentiation and placental function. - [Read Culturing Trophoblast Stem (TS) Cell Lines Protocol]
The starting material for de novo isolation of stem cell lines can be either normal 3.5-days post coitum (dpc) expanded blastocysts or "delayed" blastocysts. Delayed blastocysts are usually collected 4-6 days after ovariectomy. For both groups of blastocysts, tissue culture procedures are similar. The only difference is the timing of the first disaggregation, because delayed blastocysts will initially grow more slowly. - [Read De Novo Isolation of Embryonic Stem (ES) Cell Lines from Blastocysts Protocol]
This protocol decribes derivation of TS cell lines from 3.5-days post coitum (dpc) mouse blastocysts. The procedure is similar to the derivation of embryonic stem (ES) cell lines. However, the success rate is considerably higher, and less expertise is required to recognize pluripotent TS cell colonies. - [Read Derivation of Trophoblast Stem (TS) Cell Lines from Blastocysts Protocol]
Pluripotent ES cells can develop into many types of differentiated tissues if they are placed back into a differentiating environment. Often, differentiation proceeds through an intermediate stage called the embryoid body (EB). EBs can be manipulated further to generate more differentiated cell types. This protocol describes a method for differentiation of ES cells into EBs. - [Read Differentiating Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells into Embryoid Bodies Protocol]
In vitro differentiation of ES cells occurs when the cells are allowed to aggregate in suspension culture in the absence of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeders and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Hanging drops provide a uniform aggregate size, which is then expanded by continued growth in suspension culture. The embryoid bodies are then plated and allowed to differentiate further in culture. - [Read Differentiation of Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells Using the Hanging Drop Method]
Protocol describes a method for electroporating DNA into ES cells, as well as selection methods. Pilot studies should be performed to optimize the conditions for each DNA construct. The selection method described here is one of the most complex. It involves targeting constructs in which the bacterial neomycin-resistance gene disrupts the coding sequence of the mouse gene. - [Read Electroporating DNA into Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells and Selection Methods Protocol]
Reference: Michael P. Matise, Wotjek Auerbach and Alexandra L. Joyner (2000). Gene targeting: a practical approach. Protocol excerpted from Chapter 3, Production of targeted embryonic stem cell clones. Alexandra L. Joyner (ed.), 2nd edition, Oxford Unive - [Read Embryonic Stem Cell growth media Requirements - Taconic Transgenics]
Embryonic Stem Cell Protocol. tips and protocol for culture. Allan Bradley Lab, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas - [Read Embryonic Stem Cell Protocol]
EMBRYONIC STEM CELL TEST (EST). The embryotoxic potential of chemicals is determined by the evaluation of the inhibition of differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ES) and the inhibition of growth of ES and 3T3 cells. Scientific Information Service - [Read EMBRYONIC STEM CELL TEST (EST)]
This protocol a protocol on how to generate transfected embryonic stem (ES) cell clones. The previous protocol in this series is the Protocol for Electroporation of ES cells. The next protocol in the series is the Protocol on Disaggregation, Expansion, and Freezing of Transfected ES Clones.
The protocol gives general considerations for the design of targeting vectors for transgenic mice. The protocol shares tips in the design of knock-out and knock-in vectors and some of their strategies for producing homologously recombined embryonic stem cells.