Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing three-dimensional multicellular tissue and organ culture systems using multicellular mammalian cell aggregates, these systems themselves and their use for various medical purposes, in particular implantations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns products containing (i) at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for the human somatostatin 2 receptor protein (sst2) having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, ortholog or derivative thereof, (ii) at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for the human deoxycytidine kinase protein (dck) having the sequence SEQ ID NO:2, ortholog or derivative thereof, (iii) at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for the human uridine monophosphate kinase protein (umk) having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 3 ortholog or derivative thereof, and (iv) gemcitabine, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate, or sequential use for treating cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic pig that expresses sTNFR1-Fc, wherein a gene encoding sTNFR1-Fc, which is a fusion protein of the extracellular domain of human soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR1) and an immunoglobulin Fc region, is introduced; a method for preparing the same; an organ isolated from the transgenic pig; a somatic donor cell line inserted with sTNFR1-Fc gene; a method for preparing a blood sample comprising sTNFR1-Fc; and a method for preparing human sTNFR1-Fc from the blood sample of the transgenic pig. As the transgenic pig can suppress immune response and inflammatory response by secreting an inhibitory substance that suppresses the activity of TNF-? in blood, it can be effectively used for xenograft. Furthermore, since the transgenic pig has a blood type O, it can be transplanted for suppressing inflammatory response, regardless of a blood type of recipient.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the generation and use of footprint-free human induced pluripotent stem cells are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation method of a chimeric embryo and a chimeric rat, which is characterized by contacting a rat pluripotent stem cell and a host embryo in the presence of an ES cell differentiation inhibitor. The method includes (a) a step for contacting a fertilized host embryo collected from a female rat and a rat pluripotent stem cell in the presence of an ES cell differentiation suppressant, and (b) a step for culturing the host embryo in contact with the rat pluripotent stem cell to form a chimeric embryo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing and diagnosing ovarian cancer. In particular, the present invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing ovarian cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of Mullerian Inhibiting substance and/or an effective amount of an agent that inhibits BCRP1. The present invention further provides methods to identify and/or enrich for populations of ovarian cancer stem cells and populations of somatic ovarian stem cells, in particular, enrichment for populations of coelomic somatic ovarian stem cells, subcoelomic/stromal somatic ovarian stem cells and periphilar medullary somatic ovarian stem cells. The present invention also provides somatic ovarian stem cell markers and ovarian cancer stem cell markers, as well as methods to identify agents which selectively inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer stem cells as compared to somatic ovarian stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of 3D culturing systems for the derivation of hepatocyte-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPS). In particular, the invention concerns the directed differentiation and maturation of human pluripotent stem cells into hepatocyte like cells in 3D hollow fiber capillary bioreactors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechnological tools in the production of Vitamin C from microorganisms, whereby a modification of the polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in the microorganism. Also included are methods/processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for treating an autism spectrum condition includes administering an effective dose of a TNF-? inhibiting agent to a person having an autism spectrum condition or pervasive development disorder and at least one of elevated TNF-? in the cerebrospinal fluid or elevated TNF-? in the serum, as compared to normal conditions; and lowering at least one of the elevated TNF-? in the cerebrospinal fluid or elevated TNF-? in the serum. A TNF-? inhibiting agent includes at least one of Lenalinomide; Thalidomide; L-Carnosine; Infliximab; Etanercept; a stem cell preparation; derivatives thereof, isomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and components for producing polarized retinal progenitor cells (RPC) from pluripotent stem cells in high yield and purity. The polarized retinal progenitor cells are preferably further differentiated with high efficiency and speed into retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE cells). The cells obtained are particularly suitable for use in cell transplantation or in the generation of transplant tissue and are particularly applicable to screening systems for substances that modulate the function of polarized retinal progenitor cells and/or RPE cells.

Abstract: A method of partial, rapid and direct genetic and epigenetic reprogramming of biological cells without returning to the embryonic state can partially reprogram a cell to be treated to specifically modify the biological age of said cell to be treated without causing functional de-differentiation of said cell to be treated, said cell to be treated always remaining as a specialized functional cell that is immunologically autologous to the donor tissue from which said cell to be treated is derived, and for which the phenotype is preserved and/or rejuvenated.

Abstract: The genes the expression of which is reduced or disappeared in immortal cells including cancer cells are isolated, their DNA sequences are determined, the genes are expressed to produce cell proliferation inhibitory proteins, and the genes and the proteins are utilized as agents for diagnosis or treatment, including the genetic diagnosis of or the gene therapy of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure features methods relating to conducting a stem cell technology business such as a regenerative medicine business based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and cells differentiated from iPSCs. The present disclosure also provides a database of iPSC-derived cells and methods of using the database for tracking customers and samples, as well as methods for marketing and running the business.

Abstract: This invention features a kit containing multiple expression vectors for producing tag-cleavable fusion proteins in various expression systems, or for producing fusion proteins in E. coli inclusion bodies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and agents used for treating cancer or infectious diseases by providing toll-like receptors such as toll-like receptor 5 (TLR-5) in combination with providing a toll-like receptor agonists such as flagellin resulting in a cis and in-trans effect that recruits cells involved in both the innate (cis effect) and adaptive (trans effect) immune response to specifically kill cancer cells and cells infected with a pathogen via the NF-?B apoptosis pathway.

Abstract: An isolated primate embryonic cell is provided as well as cell cultures and cell lines derived therefrom. Also provided are methods of generating and using such cells.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and isolated polypeptides involved in the synthesis of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon intermediates. Homologs of, conservative variants of, and sequences having at least about 35% sequence identity with nucleic acids involved in the synthesis of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon intermediates are also provided. The invention further provides methods for producing an aliphatic ketone or a hydrocarbon, as well as a method for identifying an enzyme useful for the production of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of reducing or decreasing a size of a tumor or eliminating a tumor or inhibiting, decreasing, or reducing neo-vascularization or angiogenesis in a tumor in a patient by administering an adenovirus comprising a nucleic acid construct comprising a FAS-chimera gene operably linked to an endothelial cell-specific promoter. Also provided is a homogeneous population of an adenovirus comprising a FAS-chimera gene operably linked to an endothelial cell-specific promoter and its uses thereof.