Abstract: The invention features pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids, and cell cultures and methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of pancreatic islet and pancreatic islet organoids. The invention also features methods of treating pancreatic diseases and methods of identifying agents that are useful for treatment of pancreatic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer, using the pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are universal donor stem cells and related methods of their use and production. The universal donor stem cells disclosed herein are useful for overcoming the immune rejection in cell-based transplantation therapies. In certain embodiments, the universal donor stem cells disclosed herein do not express one or more MHC-I and MHC-II human leukocyte antigens. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the universal donor stem cells disclosed herein do not express one or more human leukocyte antigens (e.g., HLA-A, HLA-B and/or HLA-C) corresponding to MHC-I and MHC-II human leukocyte antigens, thereby rendering such cells hypoimmunogenic.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for culturing cells so that the cells are induced to differentiate into cells that express a hepatic stellate phenotype. The invention is also directed to cells produced by the methods of the invention. The cells are useful, among other applications, for treatment of liver deficiencies, liver metabolism studies, and liver toxicity studies, fibrogenic studies, or to support hepatocyte function in co-culture setting.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides cell-based compositions for treating diabetes, methods for identifying cells that preferentially differentiate into endoderm cells, and methods for preparing insulin-producing pancreatic cells, as well as related methods of use for treating diseases related to insulin deficiency.

Abstract: Suggested is a method for enhancing the expression of taste related receptor genes encompassing the following steps: (i) providing a culture of mammalian cells, the genome of said cells comprising at least one sweet receptor domain; (ii) designing at least one type of single-guide RNA (sgRNA), the 10 to 30 nt guide sequence of said sgRNA being complementary to stretches within the non-coding and/or putative regulatory region upstream of the translation start codon of at least one sweet receptor gene; (iii) preparing a vector comprising an expression cassette encompassing at least one optionally modified CRISPR-Cas9, preferably CRISPR-dCas9VP64, and at least one optionally modified sg-RNA optionally containing aptamer structures for binding activator proteins; (iv) transfecting said culture of mammalian cells with said vector to target the genome for the presence of a DNA sequence that is complementary to the 10 to 30 nt guide sequence of said sgRNA; and (v) measuring the transcriptional enhancement of the swe

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing CD4?CD8+ T cells having an antigen specific cytotoxic activity from pluripotent stem cells, comprising the steps of: (1) differentiating pluripotent stem cells to give a cell culture comprising CD4?CD8? T cells and CD4+CD8+ T cells, (2) removing CD4?CD8? cells from the cell culture obtained in step (1), and (3) differentiating the CD4+CD8+ cells in the cell culture into CD4?CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein surprisingly increase CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing in stem cells by transiently treating the cells with a stem cell viability enhancer prior to and/or after contacting the cells with one or more CRISPR/Cas9 components. Further, this treatment also surprisingly results in increased engraftment of the stem cells into the target tissue of a subject. The present disclosure also provides one or more modified CRISPR/Cas9 components which, when used in combination with the stem cell viability enhancer, further increases the frequency of gene editing in stem cells, increases stem cell viability, and increases stem cell engraftment.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for producing functional blood vessels, and progenitors thereof are provided. Human disorders of the vascular system are treated by reconstitution of functional vessels in vivo through co-transplantation with supporting niche stromal cells for treatment of ischemic injury in the peripheral limbs and heart. The cell populations of the invention, when engrafted into a recipient, anastomose with host vasculature and regenerate functional blood vessels.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a cell freezing medium for clinical use. In particular, the cell freezing medium of the present invention comprises the following components: (1) human albumin; (2) cryoprotectant: the cryoprotectant comprises a combination of one or more of dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, and ethylene glycol; (3) a saline buffer; wherein the salt buffer is a solution containing Na+, K+, Mg+, Cl?, and CH3COO? ions; (4) a vitamin; and (5) an amino acid, wherein the human albumin concentration is 1%-20% (w/v). The cell, after long-term cryopreservation with the freezing medium of the present invention, has a high viability, and the cellular efficiency maintains a high uniformity. The grade of purity of the freezing medium of the present invention is the pharmaceutical grade or USP grade; and the freezing medium is safe and reliable for clinical use, and can be used or conventional adherent and suspension cells.

Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that may be used to model human hematopoietic cell development, function, or disease. The genetically modified non-human animals comprise a nucleic acid encoding human IL-6 operably linked to an IL-6 promoter. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal expressing human IL-6 also expresses at least one of human M-CSF, human IL-3, human GM-CSF, human SIRPa or human TPO. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is immunodeficient. In some such instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is engrafted with healthy or diseased human hematopoietic cells. Also provided are methods for using the subject genetically modified non-human animals in modeling human hematopoietic cell development, function, and/or disease, as well as reagents and kits thereof that find use in making the subject genetically modified non-human animals and/or practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Described is an adenovirus derived helper virus which may comprise the adenoviral DNA sequences for E2a, S4 (orf6), the VA1 RNA gene, and the parvovirus VP capsid gene unit. Also described is a method of efficiently preparing a recombinant parvovirus (particle) which is based on the use of various adenoviral derived helper viruses/vectors.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nucleic acid, a gene delivery polymer, and at least one adjunctive chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of mammalian cancer or hyperproliferative disorders and methods of using thereof for the treatment of mammalian cancer or hyperproliferative disorders by intratumoral, intraperitoneal or systemic injection.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods, apparatuses, and cellular compositions and cellular products that use a unique trophoblast-containing 3D matrix as a compartmental chamber for growing embryoid bodies that can be induced to differentiate into organ-specific cell types.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated stem cell that has been modified to provide, enhance or contain the functional characteristics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The isolated stem cells are modified in one or more of the following manners: by expressing a calcium channel protein; by expressing a calcium pump protein such as the sarcro/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) protein; by inhibiting or downregulating expression of the Na+/Ca+ exchanger (NCX) protein; by expressing a calcium handling protein; by expressing a transverse (t-tubule; and/or by expressing a transverse (t-tubule biogenic protein. After the cell has been modified, it may be expanded to a substantially homogenous population of these cells or alternatively, differentiated to a more mature cell type. Compositions containing these cells and population of cells are also provided by this invention.

Abstract: Disclosure of a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line. Disclosure of a patient specific cell line. Methods to obtain a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line by fusing a differentiated mammalian cell and a functionally enucleated mammalian embryonic cell line. Methods to obtain a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line by fusing a differentiated mammalian cell and a functionally enucleated human cancer cell. Methods to obtain a patient specific cell line of a cell type similar to a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line by functionally enucleating the mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line and fusing the functionally enucleated mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line with a differentiated cell obtained from the patient. A method of treatment of a human patient by administering the patient-specific cell line to the patient.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a transcriptional enhancer of cytochrome P450 (P450) CYP3A4 production or expression, and uses of the nucleic acid molecule for screening compounds for xenobiotic induction of CYP3A4 expression in cells and animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for decreasing the level of methylation of Oct4 promoter in a target cell, comprising transfecting the target cell with the combination of Oct4 cDNA and SirT1 cDNA. The invention also provides a method for inducing cytoprotective responses of a target cell, comprising transfecting the target cell with the combination of Oct4 cDNA and SirT1 cDNA. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising Oct4 cDNA and SirT1 cDNA, or a polynucleotide comprising Oct4 cDNA and SirT1 cDNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for high content drug screening in C. elegans which may be used to identify compounds that treat disorders associated with protein aggregation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising definitive endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified definitive endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying definitive endoderm cells from other cell types.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell cultures and enriched cell populations of endocrine precursor cells, immature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells and mature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing such cell cultures and cell populations.