Inventors:
Roy Ogle - Earlysville VA, US
Sunil Tholpady - Charlottesville VA, US
International Classification:
C12N005/08
Abstract:
Described herein are stem cells derived from the meninges; specifically, the dura mater, pia mater or arachnoid mater. Methods for isolating, differentiating and explanting these cells are described, as well. In particular embodiments, the stem cells of the present invention are differentiated into nerve cells, bone cells, cartilage cells and Schwann cells. The stem cells of the invention can be taken from a small biopsy, and rapidly expanded to large populations of cells using specially defined media that maintain their undifferentiated state. Use of the stem cells of the present invention in biomedical applications is also described.