Figure 1.
Stages in EB production and differentiation. (a) Schematic of the three stages in human ES cell differentiation. Initially, the ES colonies are grown on top of the MEF feeder layer (left). To induce differentiation, cells are transferred to suspension, where they aggregate to form EBs (middle). After 10 days in suspension, EBs are plated on gelatin-coated culture dishes, where they are observed for the appearance of spontaneous contractions (right). (b) Photomicrographs depicting the just-mentioned three stages: ES colony (left), EBs in suspension (middle), and a contracting area in the outgrowth on an EB (right, arrow).