20090280093 | COMPOSITIONS AND POPULATIONS OF CELLS OBTAINED FROM THE UMBILICAL CORD AND METHODS OF PRODUCING THE SAME - The present invention relates to populations and compositions of stem and progenitor cells derived from the umbilical cord, and methods of obtaining the same. In some embodiments, one or more entire umbilical cords or sections thereof are subjected to a process where a cell population is derived without prior removal of any blood vessel. The population may be derived using mechanical and chemical means. The presently disclosed process may be applied to a single umbilical cord or to a plurality of umbilical cords, for example, as a batch process. Optionally, this process includes removing some or all cord blood before deriving the population. In some embodiments, presently disclosed cell populations include mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly and endothelial progenitor cells derived from a wall of a blood vessel of an umbilical cord. Optionally, the cell population includes stem cells derived from cord blood. The presently disclosed cell populations and compositions may be banked and/or used in a number of clinical or other applications. Exemplary applications include but are not limited to applications related to regenerative medicine, for screening compounds, for research, and for gene therapy. | 11-12-2009 |