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Home Q & A Board Biology-Related Homework Help Genetics and Developmental Biology
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13 years ago
Mammalian ES cells grown in culture on a “feeder” layer of fibroblasts can be made to differentiate into several types of differentiated cells by treatment with appropriate growth factors, but the feeder layer is essential.  What are two possible functions of the fibroblast layer, and why should it be necessary?
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13 years ago
Here are the possibilities:

1) there may be required growth factors unknown to the experimenters that are supplied by the fibroblasts.

2) The fibroblasts may provide an ECM like substrate which supplies signaling co-factors or other cell-surface components required for differentiation.

3) The fibroblasts may be necessary to maintain the ES cells in a totipotent state until the signals to differentiate are given. 
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