Abstract:
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the generation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells, and for aggregation of ES cells for establishing ES cell colonies from small numbers of cells. Compositions of the invention, in certain embodiments, comprise embryonic stem cells, an extracellular matrix molecule, and a molecule capable of cross linking. The present invention also relates to methods for embryoid body formation using a composition of the invention and to cells and tissues isolated or derived from an embryoid body generated with a composition or method of the invention.