Abstract: Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells with cell signaling regulators are described. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide novel compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cells essentially free of exogenous retroviral vector elements in the presence of a medium comprising signaling inhibitors. In certain aspects, feeder-free episomal reprogramming methods may be provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are disclosed. For example, induced pluripotent stem cells may be generated from CD34+ hematopoietic cells, such as human CD34+ blood progenitor cells, or T cells. Various iPS cell lines are also provided. In certain embodiments, the invention provides novel induced pluripotent stem cells with a genome comprising genetic rearrangement of T cell receptors.

Abstract: Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells and other desired cell types are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells are described. Furthermore, the invention provides induced pluripotent stem cells and desired cell types essentially free of exogenous vector elements with the episomal expression vectors to express differentiation programming factors.

Abstract: In some aspects, cultures of neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) that exhibit synchronous firing of neural networks are provided. In some embodiments, neuronal activity of the cultures may be detected or measured using a multi-electrode array.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the generation of functional keratinocyte stem cells that are differentiated directly from human ESCs/iPSCs in a chemically defined serum-free cell culture system, as well as cells derived therefrom and methods of use thereof. Also provided are methods for culturing primary keratinocytes.

Abstract: Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells with cell signaling regulators are described. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide novel compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cells essentially free of exogenous retroviral vector elements in the presence of a medium comprising signaling inhibitors. In certain aspects, feeder-free episomal reprogramming methods may be provided.

Abstract: The invention generally features methods for providing hepatocytes from a variety of cell sources, particularly pluripotent stem cells, therapeutic compositions featuring such cells, and methods of using them for the treatment of subjects.

Abstract: Methods and composition for differentiation of pluripotent stem cells are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods including screening of optimal differentiation conditions for a selected stem cell clone in a selected batch of culture medium and use of the determined optimal condition for differentiation into a specific cell lineage.

Abstract: Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating induced pluripotent stem cells using reporter genes are described. Furthermore, the invention provides novel reprogramming vectors employing reporter genes.

Abstract: The invention generally features methods for providing engineered pluripotent stem cells that can be used to study biological response and pathways, including differentiation and drug effects. For example, these cells are provided comprising two or more exogenous expression cassettes including a selectable or screenable marker under the control of different condition-responsive regulatory elements, such as differentiation-responsive promoters or regulatory element of a receptor, drug target, drug metabolizing enzyme or signaling pathway gene. Also provided are sets of stem cell lines each comprising a different exogenous expression cassette including a selectable or screenable marker under the control of a different condition-responsive regulatory element.

Abstract: Methods and composition for the production of cardiomyocytes from differentiation of pluripotent stem cells are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods including differentiating pluripotent stem cells in a large volume of suspension culture in the presence of ROCK inhibitors are described. In further aspects, methods for differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes that overcome variability between different stem cell clones and different batch of culture medium are provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for promoting a conversion in stem cells or cells derived therefrom from glycolysis to aerobic respiration and its associated pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation, the TCA cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and pyruvate decarboxylation, for example. In specific embodiments, certain media is employed to improve metabolic maturation of particular stem cell-derived cells, including human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, for example. Particular media comprises media without glucose or optionally without pyruvate, with fatty acids, with L-carnitine, with taurine, creatine, non-essential amino acids, L-glutamine, and with anti-oxidants or free-radical scavengers, for example.

Abstract: The invention generally regards methods for providing endothelial cells and precursors of endothelial cells from a variety of cell sources, such as pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are therapeutic compositions including the provided endothelial cells, and methods of using them for the treatment of subjects.

Abstract: Methods and composition for providing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods including reprogramming B lymphocytes transformed by episomal vectors such as Epstein-Barr virus-based vectors are described. Furthermore, the invention provides induced pluripotent stem cells essentially free of exogenous elements and having B cell immunoglobin variable region rearrangement.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the in vitro differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells, which have been expanded and/or maintained under defined conditions, into endodermal precursor cells (EPCs) that are capable of producing mono-hormonal beta cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are disclosed. For example, induced pluripotent stem cells may be generated from CD34+ hematopoietic cells, such as human CD34+ blood progenitor cells, or T cells. Various iPS cell lines are also provided. In certain embodiments, the invention provides novel induced pluripotent stem cells with a genome comprising genetic rearrangement of T cell receptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods comprising both genetic and chemical means for the production of hepatocytes from a variety of cell sources, particularly pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for automated culture of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) such as human ESCs. In some aspects, methods of the invention employ optimized culture media and limited proteolytic treatment of cells to separate cell clusters for expansion. Automated systems for passage and expansion of ESCs are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are disclosed. For example, induced pluripotent stem cells may be generated from peripheral blood cells, such as human blood progenitor cells, using episomal reprogramming and feeder-free or xeno-free conditions. In certain embodiments, the invention provides novel methods for improving overall reprogramming efficiency with low number of blood progenitor cells.

Abstract: The invention generally regards methods for providing endothelial cells and precursors of endothelial cells from a variety of cell sources, such as pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are therapeutic compositions including the provided endothelial cells, and methods of using them for the treatment of subjects.