Project description:Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) can be differentiated into progenitors resembling trophoblast upon exposure to BMP4. Putative trophpblast progenitors express APA cell surface marker Using FACS sorting and microarray we analysed the gene expression of APA-positive trophoblast progenitors, APA-negative progenitors and SSEA5-positive undifferentiated hESC and identified genes that contribute to the trophoblast fate