Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for increasing the number of stem cells or precursor cells. The number of stem cells can be increased by increasing survival and/or cell proliferation of the cells. The methods include contacting the cells with an effective amount of a Notch ligand, an effective amount of a growth factor, and an effective amount of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). In several embodiments, the methods include contacting the cells with an effective amount of a Jak inhibitor. In several non-limiting examples, the growth factor is insulin or glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), or a combination thereof. In additional non-limiting examples, the Notch ligand is Delta. The cells can be in vivo or in vitro. Methods are also disclosed here for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder or spinal cord injury in a subject. In several non-limiting examples, the subject has Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that STAT3 phosphorylated at serine 727 is a key regulator of proliferation and survival of stem cells and precursor cells. Methods for increasing the survival and proliferation of stem cells and/or precursor are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting a mammalian stem cell mammalian precursor cell with a JAK inhibitor, a p38 inhibitor, or both. Methods are also disclosed for increasing the survival and proliferation of neuronal precursor cells in a subject. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Notch ligand and a growth factor. Methods are also disclosed for identifying an agent that increases the proliferation of stem cells and/or precursor cells. The method includes contacting a stem cell or a precursor cell with an agent of interest, wherein the stem cell or the precursor cell expresses STAT3; and determining the phosphorylation status of serine 727 of STAT3 in the cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of culturing cells. The method generally includes live stages: (1) expansion of ES cells; (2) generation of embryoid bodies; (3) selection of CNS precursor cells; (4) expansion of CNS precursor cells; and (5) differentiation of CNS precursor cells. During the expansion phase, the CNS precursor cells are cultured in a media which includes at least one neurologic agent such as bFGF, SHH, and FGF-8. The expanded CNS precursors are differentiated by withdrawal of at least one neurologic agent, typically, bFGF. Preferably, the differentiation media includes ascorbic acid. The method of the invention can be used to culture a variety of cells, preferably neuronal cells, including, but not limited to dopaminergic neuron cells, cholinergic neuronal cells and serotonergic neuron cells.

Abstract: A gene (SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3) encoding a protein, nestin, whose expression distinguishes neural multipotential stem cells and brain tumor cells from the more differentiated neural cell types (e.g., neuronal, glial and muscle cells).

Abstract: A novel method of immortalizing cell lines, as well as cell lines immortalized by the method. According to the method of the present invention, a gene which confers on a cell the ability to grow in tissue culture is introduced, using known techniques, into such a cell. This gene, referred to as a growth promoting gene, is under control such that when the gene action or function is turned down or off, the cell in which it resides switches to a new differentiated state. In one embodiment, the temperature sensitive (ts) form of the oncogene derived from the simian virus SV40 is the growth-promoting gene.