Preparation of parental cell bank from foetal tissue

An in vitro non-enzymatic method for isolation, expansion and development of fetal cells selected from the group consisting of fetal epiphyseal chondrocytes, fetal Achilles tenocytes and fetal skin fibroblasts, comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a fetal tissue sample selected from the group consisting of ulnar fetal cartilage comprising fetal epiphyseal chondrocytes;
• fetal Achilles tendon comprising fetal Achilles tenocytes;
• and fetal abdominal skin comprising fetal skin fibroblasts;
• b) micro-dissecting said fetal tissue sample;
• c) dispersing said fetal tissue sample by mechanical attachment to a scalpel scored surface within an indention;
• d) culturing said fetal tissue sample in vitro under conditions wherein said fetal epiphyseal chondrocytes, fetal Achilles tenocytes or fetal abdominal skin fibroblasts proliferate;
• and
• e) selecting and isolating a first adherent fetal epiphyseal chondrocyte cell population, a first adherent fetal Achilles tenocyte cell population, or a first adherent fetal skin fibroblast population therefrom, wherein said selecting step is performed 5 to 7 days post-dissection.