Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for efficiently directing differentiation into insulin-producing cells in a xeno-free culture system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing a keratin 12-positive corneal epithelioid cell from a surface ectoderm-derived cell. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for inducing a keratin 12-positive corneal epithelioid cell, comprising introducing PAX6, KLF4, and OCT4 into a surface ectoderm-derived cell, such as an oral mucosal epithelial cell, and a corneal epithelioid cell induced by the method.

Abstract: Methods of producing hepatocyte lineage cells are provided. The method can include transfecting a cell with one or more expression vectors. For example, a cell can be transfected with a first expression vector containing a first gene that encodes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA), a second expression vector containing a second gene that encodes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB), a third expression vector containing a third gene that encodes forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), and a fourth expression vector containing a fourth gene that encodes forkhead box A3 (FOXA3). The method can include culturing the transfected cell obtained in a growth environment. The transfected cell can be cultured in Williams' E medium, ReproFF (feeder-free media maintaining pluripotency) medium, or both. Transfected and/or hepatocyte lineage cells obtained by a method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a chemically modified induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell derived from parental cells and methods for generating the chemically induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, as well as cardiac progenitor cells capable of producing cells of multiple sub-lineages. The iPS cells are useful in method for or regenerating cardiac muscle tissue or to promote the replacement of cardiac scar tissue or to rejuvenating cardiac muscles in a patient in need thereof and to treat cardiac disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating SC-? cells using chemically defined, completely serum free media, and isolated populations of SC-? cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel methods and compositions for using engineered reprogramming factor(s) for the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through a kinetically controlled process. Specifically, this disclosure relates to establishing combinations of reprogramming factors, including fusions between conventional reprogramming factors with transactivation domains, optimized for reprogramming various types of cells. More specifically, the exemplary methods disclosed herein can be used for creating induced pluripotent stem cells from various mammalian cell types, including human fibroblasts. Exemplary methods of feeder-free derivation of human induced pluripotent stem cells using synthetic messenger RNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: The first method to cause a culture of human and other primate stem cells to directly and uniformly differentiate into a committed cell lineage is disclosed. Treatment of primate stem cells with a single protein trophoblast induction factor causes the cells to transform into human trophoblast cells, the precursor cells of the placenta. Several protein factors including bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), BMP2, BMP7, and growth and differentiation factor 5 can serve as trophoblast-inducting factors.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions for the production of heterogeneous tissue from human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for generating or maintaining human iPS cells in culture. Methods include the use of a low osmolality medium to make human iPS cells, or use of a low osmolality medium to maintain human iPS cells. Methods for making targeted genetic modification to human iPS cells cultured in low osmolality medium are also included. Compositions include human iPS cells cultured and maintained using the low osmolality medium defined herein.

Abstract: Methods for production of platelets from pluripotent stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are provided. These methods may be performed without forming embryoid bodies or clusters of pluripotent stem cells, and may be performed without the use of stromal inducer cells. Additionally, the yield and/or purity can be greater than has been reported for prior methods of producing platelets from pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are compositions and pharmaceutical preparations comprising platelets, preferably produced from pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for converting mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial cells by using specific transcription factors and, more specifically, a method for converting mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial cells by using Oct4, Nanog, Tal1, and LMO2, which are specific transcription factors. According to the present invention, the method for converting adult cells or mesenchymal stem cells, which are adult stem cells, into endothelial cells was developed by selecting two types of genes, which are less directly related to cancer induction, among cell reprogramming factors and two types of transcription factors, which are not expressed or expressed at a low level in mesenchymal stem cells, among transcription factors related to vascular development, and combining all four transcription factors. The method can be applied in the production of endothelial cells for forming regenerative tissue in tissue engineering and ischemic disease therapy.

Abstract: Provided is a gene expression system, suitable for expression in an insect, comprising an insect muscle actin promoter operably linked to a marker gene, which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of: cost of rearing; amount of handling; errors in identification due to human error or loss of marker by the insect; and health concerns related to the effects of marker powders on workers in mass rearing facilities.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a rodent model of prostate cancer. The rodents disclosed herein comprise a transgene that provides prostate-specific expression of an oncogenic protein (e.g, an SV40 tumor antigen) under the control of 5? and 3? regulatory regions of a mouse probasin gene. The rodents develop progressive forms of prostate tumor that resemble the development of human prostate cancer.

Abstract: Isolated or purified mammalian kidney-derived cell populations from mammalian kidney tissue are provided. Methods are provided for the isolation and purification of the mammalian kidney-derived cell population. Methods for treating kidney disease are provided by administration of the isolated or purified mammalian kidney-derived cell population to a mammalian subject.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of producing induced pluripotent (iPS), multipotent, and/or lineage-committed stem cells from differentiated cells, maintaining iPS, multipotent, and/or lineage-committed cells in culture, and re-differentiating the iPS and multipotent stem cells into any desired lineage-committed cell type.

Abstract: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) biosensors comprising a Renilla luciferase (RLuc), a green fluorescent protein (GFP), and an exchange protein activated by cAMP, and uses thereof in determining cAMP levels both in vivo and in vitro. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods for controlling blood glucose levels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are universal donor stem cells and cells derived therefrom and related methods of their use and production. The universal donor stem cells disclosed herein are useful for overcoming allogeneic immune rejection in cell-based transplantation therapies. In certain embodiments, the universal donor cells disclosed herein are pancreatic endoderm cells that do not express one or more MHC-Class I cell-surface proteins and whose expression of at least one NK activating ligand is disrupted or inhibited.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modifying a rat genomic locus of interest using a large targeting vector (LTVEC) comprising various endogenous or exogenous nucleic acid sequences as described herein. Compositions and methods for generating a genetically modified rat comprising one or more targeted genetic modifications in their germline are also provided. Compositions and methods are provided which comprise a genetically modified rat or rat cell comprising a targeted genetic modification in the rat interleukin-2 receptor gamma locus, the rat ApoE locus, the rat Rag2 locus, the rat Rag1 locus and/or the rat Rag2/Rag1 locus. The various methods and compositions provided herein allows for these modified loci to be transmitted through the germline.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for obtaining induced stem cells, methods of making and use thereof.

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.