Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of producing endoderm cells, such as definitive endoderm cells by exposing stem cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to an effective amount of at least one compound described herein to differentiate the stem cells into the endoderm cells such as definitive endoderm cells. Differentated endoderm cells produced by the methods disclosed herein can be differentiated into pancreatic epithelium, and other endoderm derivatives such as thymus, liver, stomach, intestine and lung. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of producing pancreatic progenitor cells, such as Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells by exposing endoderm cells, such as definitive endoderm cells to an effective amount of at least one compound described herein to differentiate the definitive endoderm cells into Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells.

Abstract: Methods of generating embryoid bodies (EBs) by culturing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) under static conditions followed by culturing the cells under dynamic conditions using e.g., a Glass Bulb-shaped Impeller (GBI) or shaking a culture vessel are provided. Also provided are methods of generating expanded and/or differentiated cells from the EBs of the invention and methods of using same for treating disorders requiring cell replacement therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing oils and oil-based products such as transportation fuels, industrial chemicals, lubricants and plastics using sugar cane, sugar cane juice, corn steep liquor, corn starch or depolymerized cellulosic material as a feedstock for bioproduction processes. Oils are manufactured using microalgae expressing sucrose invertase, which allows the microalgae to produce oil using sucrose-based feedstocks, along or in combination with other feedstocks.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing oils and oil-based products such as transportation fuels, industrial chemicals, edible oils, lubricants and plastics using sugar cane, sugar beets, and cane/beet agricultural processing byproducts as a feedstock for bioproduction processes. The disclosed processes utilize oil-bearing microbes as a conversion technology to convert chemical energy produced by sugar cane and sugar beets into energy-containing oils and oil derivatives. Also provided herein are oil-bearing microbes containing one or more exogenous sucrose utilization genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for expanding a stem cell population. More particularly, the invention relates, inter alia, to methods and compositions for expanding a stem cell population, particularly a hematopoietic stem cell population.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and agents for improving cosmetic appearance, for promoting, improving or restoring health of cells and tissues, preferably skin, and more preferably, for restoring aged or damaged skin to a healthy appearance. In some embodiments, the invention relates to compositions of cells, eggs, cell extracts, egg extracts, and extract components such as purified nucleic acids, polypeptides, lipids, carbohydrates or other natural products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for production of undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell aggregate suspension cultures from undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell single cell suspensions and methods of differentiation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding an insulin-like factor of the androgenic gland of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii). The present invention further relates to methods of silencing the expression of the insulin-like factor gene in decapod crustaceans order, particularly in M. rosenbergii, useful for producing male monosex populations.

Abstract: This invention relates to the culture of dendritic cells from human embryonic stem (ES) cells. Human ES cells are first cultured into hematopoietic cells by co-culture with stromal cells. The cells now differentiated into the hematopoietic lineage are then cultured with GM-CSF to create a culture of myeloid precursor cells. Culture of the myeloid precursor cells with the cytokines GM-CSF and IL-4 causes functional dendritic cells to be generated. The dendritic cells have a unique phenotype, as indicated by their combination of cell surface markers.

Abstract: A system including: (i) a methodology for targeted cellular ablation in zebrafish; (ii) a methodology for regional cellular ablation in zebrafish. These methodologies are used to identify drug compounds that influence cellular regeneration for the purpose of developing therapies for degenerative conditions. Transgenic zebrafish disclosed herein contain transgenic constructs composed of: (i) cell and/or tissue-type specific regulatory elements (e.g. promoter and/or enhancer regions) which delimit expression of operably linked gene product(s) to discrete cellular populations; (ii) a gene product that promotes cellular ablation composed of a pro-drug conversion system capable of converting nontoxic pro-drugs into cytotoxic drugs, which is expressed alone or in connection with; (iii) a reporter gene product that allows selective detection of cells expressing the reporter—both prior to (initial cells) and following cellular ablation (regenerated cells).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetic markers and methods of diagnosing and screening for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). As such, the disclosure encompasses a whole-genome association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of which a number are located within the GRB2-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) gene as well as other markers associated with other genes. The disclosure identifies two novel haplotypes within the GAB2 gene, i.e., a LOAD risk-enhancing and a LOAD risk-decreasing haplotype. These haplotypes modify LOAD risk differentially in combination with APOE alleles. Further encompassed are therapeutic methods and agents of decreasing the deterioration of cells associated with LOAD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant expression vector for an animal cell containing a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) coding nucleotide sequence operatively linked to a DHFR promoter, to an animal cell line transformed by the vector, and to a method for preparing a target protein using the same. As compared with existing animal cell expression vectors, the vector of the present invention enables an effective screening of a cell line clone in which foreign genes are amplified together with DHFR genes even at a much lower methotrexate concentration. The present invention exhibits excellent effects in cell line preparation as high-productivity cell lines can be ensured in a short time through the use of a lower concentration of methotrexate in the process of protein production cell line establishment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell culture methods and compositions that are essentially serum-free and comprise a basal salt nutrient solution and an ErbB3 ligand.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a kit is described. The kit includes primed living cells joined to and at least partially within a three-dimensional hydrogel structure and an isolated polypeptide having the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha Connexin, or a conservative variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide does not include the full length alpha Connexin protein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing therapeutic agents using chondrocytes are provided. The genetically engineered chondrocytes can be used to express the therapeutic agent in a subject, including in an environment typically associated with chondrocytes and in an environment not typically associated with chondrocytes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided with appropriate integrated structures to conduct large volume PCR and end-point or real-time capillary electrophoresis detection. The microfluidic device includes a substrate having an amplification chamber of a volume of nucleic acid, wells disposed on the substrate, flow channels connecting the wells and the chamber in the substrate to allow for solution flow through the chamber, and one or more separation channels provided in the substrate and connected to the chamber for separating and detecting a fraction of the amplified nucleic acid. The chamber, the flow channels, and the one or more separation channels are configured such that the hydrodynamic flow resistance of the chambers and the flow channels combined is at least 10?3 times smaller than the hydrodynamic flow resistance in the one or more separation channels. The microfluidic device can achieve a very high sensitivity in detection while being highly cost effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic fish having at least one genomically integrated expression cassette containing a 5?-regulatory nucleotide sequence responsive to hormones, particularly estrogenic hormones, connected in a functional manner upstream of a nucleotide sequence encoding a reporter protein. The present invention further relates to methods of using the transgenic fish for various purposes, including, for example: (1) identifying estrogenic endocrine disruptors; (2) monitoring estrogen-like activity of test samples; (3) identifying anti-estrogenic endocrine disruptors; and (4) investigating the effects of endocrine disruptors on liver regeneration. Expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic cells of aquatic animals are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing or a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having deletion, addition, insertion or substitution of one to several amino acid residues in the sequence, the polypeptide being capable of constituting an HLA-A24-restricted, MAGE-A4143-151-specific T cell receptor together with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing.

Abstract: Four zebrafish gene promoters, which are skin specific, muscle specific, skeletal muscle specific and ubiquitously expressed respectively, were isolated and ligated to the 5? end of the EGFP gene. When the resulting chimeric gene constructs were introduced into zebrafish, the transgenic zebrafish emit green fluorescence under a blue light or ultraviolet light according to the specificity of the promoters used. Thus, new varieties of ornamental fish of different fluorescence patterns, e.g., skin fluorescence, muscle fluorescence, skeletal muscle-specific and/or ubiquitous fluorescence, are developed.

Abstract: Targeting constructs and methods of using them are provided for differentiation-dependent modification of nucleic acid sequences in cells and in non-human animals. Targeting constructs comprising a promoter operably linked to a recombinase are provided, wherein the promoter drives transcription of the recombinase in an differentiated cell but not an undifferentiated cell. Promoters include Blimp1, Prm1, Gata6, Gata4, Igf2, Lhx2, Lhx5, and Pax3. Targeting constructs with a cassette flanked on both sides by recombinase sites can be removed using a recombinase gene operably linked to a 3?-UTR that comprises a recognition site for an miRNA that is transcribed in undifferentiated cells but not in differentiated cells. The constructs may be included in targeting vectors, and can be used to automatically modify or excise a selection cassette from an ES cell, a non-human embryo, or a non-human animal.