Abstract: The described invention provides methods for preparing a composition containing extracts of activated amphibian oocytes, the method where the composition is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an equal volume of the extra-oocyte composition and the intra-oocyte composition, and a method for treating a disease, disorder, condition or injury characterized by a damaged or a cancerous differentiated cell including: (a) preparing the composition by the described method; (b) formulating a pharmaceutical composition comprising an equal volume of the extra-oocyte composition and the intra-oocyte composition, and optionally a carrier; and (c) administering a therapeutic amount of the pharmaceutical composition of (b) to a subject in need thereof, where the therapeutic amount is effective to reprogram the damaged or cancerous cells into iPSC-like cells capable of differentiating into cells capable of repairing the damaged or cancerous cells, thereby treating the disease, disorder, injury or condition.

Abstract: Using electroporation, it is possible to activate the natural reprogramming potential of living Xenopus laevis oocytes and pass it on to donor cells placed with eggs in one electroporation chamber. We demonstrated that co-electroporation at 150 v/cm/25 ?F of mature oocytes with ˜105 cells/ml of suspension of various normal and cancerous human cell lines, such as bone marrow stromal cells, foreskin fibroblasts, pre-adipocytes, CD4+ T-lymphocytes, cheek cells, cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells, reprograms donor cells into iPSc-like cells, which form colonies on irradiated MEF feeders. The iPSc-like cells generated by this study resemble human embryonic stem cells in colony morphology and expression of stem cell-associated transcription factors, including Oct3/4, Nanog, SOX-2, Rex-1, TRA-1-60 and SSEA-1. New method obviates the use of retroviral or lentiviral gene delivery vectors and other “non-parental” reprogramming approaches.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for de-differentiation and stabilize cells, such as progenitor cells, by introducing the cells into the cytoplasm of host oocytes, such as Xenopus laevis oocytes. Advantageously, this method obviates the need for any nuclear transfer procedure, which is known to disrupt the chromosomal architecture of donor and recipient cells. The present invention also concerns host oocytes encapsulating cells that have been introduced into their cytoplasm. The present invention also concerns cells that have been removed from the host oocytes.