Method for identification of cell growth or differentiation factors

A method to identify at least one nucleic acid sequence associated with differentiation from embryonic stem cells, comprising:

• (a) comparing expression of at least one nucleic acid sequence expressed by a HOX11 precursor cell population to expression of at least one nucleic acid sequence expressed by a control cell population selected from the group consisting of an embryonic stem cell population, progeny of said HOX11 precursor cell population, a non-embryonic cell population, and a second embryonic precursor cell population that is different from said HOX11 precursor cell population;
• and
• (b) detecting at least one nucleic acid sequence that is expressed at a different level in the control cell population compared with the HOX11 precursor cell population;
• whereby a difference in expression level is associated with differentiation from embryonic cells;
• wherein said HOX11 precursor cell population expresses a HOX11 gene, wherein said HOX11 precursor cell population differentiates into primitive erythroid cell lineages, definitive erythroid cell lineages, and progeny thereof, and wherein said HOX11 precursor cell population is not totipotent.