Technology Opportunities

The present invention describes a method for the efficient derivation of connective tissue progenitors (CTPs) from human embryonic stem (hES) cells. These cells have multilineage developmental potential, yet are committed to connective tissue derivatives. Moreover, the potential of these cells to generate tendon-like structures is also shown. By applying the long-term high-density culture technique to these cells, the researchers successfully assembled cylinder-shaped constructs that contained typical ultrastructure characteristics and biomechanical properties of early tendons.