Chapter 20 Gavi-Automated Vitrification Instrument.

Gavi is intended for use in a laboratory or clinic environment for the preparation and vitrification of oocytes, cleavage stage embryos and blastocysts. Gavi is designed to automate the equilibration steps in the vitrification process to minimize the variability that occurs during cryopreservation. This automated process reduces the potential for errors and ensures a standardized, repeatable procedure for vitrification in a controlled, closed-system environment.

Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) represent a mainstay for pluripotent stem cell research and development (R&D) and provide tangible opportunities for clinical translation including cell therapies and drug discovery. Moreover, in spite of the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), ESCs are an essential reference point, against which other pluripotent cells are compared. Hence, there is an ongoing need to derive and bank quality-controlled research-grade and clinical-grade ESC lines using established and standardized methods.

Derivation of Huntington Disease affected Genea017 human embryonic stem cell line.

The Genea017 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a donated, fully commercially consented ART blastocyst, carrying Htt gene CAG expansion of 40 repeats, indicative of Huntington Disease. Following ICM outgrowth on inactivated human feeders, genetic analysis confirmed a 46, XY karyotype and male allele pattern through CGH and STR analysis. The hESC line had pluripotent cell morphology, 87% of cells expressed Nanog, 95% Oct4, 88% Tra1-60 and 99% SSEA4, gave a PluriTest pluripotency score of 34.

Derivation of human embryonic stem cell line Genea022.

The Genea022 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a donated, fully commercially consented ART blastocyst, through ICM outgrowth on inactivated feeders. The line showed pluripotent cell morphology and genomic analysis verified a 46, XY karyotype and male allele pattern through CGH and STR analysis. Pluripotency of Genea022 was demonstrated with 84% of cells expressed Nanog, 98% Oct4, 55% Tra1-60 and 97% SSEA4, gave a Pluritest Pluripotency score of 42.

Derivation of human embryonic stem cell line Genea023.

The Genea023 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a donated, fully commercially consented ART blastocyst, through ICM outgrowth on inactivated feeders. The line showed pluripotent cell morphology and genomic analysis verified a 46, XY karyotype and male allele pattern through CGH and STR analysis. Pluripotency of Genea023 was demonstrated with 85% of cells expressed Nanog, 98% Oct4, 55% Tra1-60 and 98% SSEA4, gave a Pluritest Pluripotency score of 42.