Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in addition to nonembryonic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, stem cells from patients with a disease, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC into floor plate midbrain progenitor cells and then further into large populations of midbrain fate FOXA2+LMX1A+TH+ dopamine (DA) neurons using novel culture conditions.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Improved techniques for establishing highly efficient, reproducible reprogramming using non-integrating episomal plasmid vectors. Using the described reprogramming protocol, one is able to consistently reprogram non-T cells with close to 100% success from non-T cell or non-B cell sources. Further advantages include use of a defined reprogramming media E7 and using defined clinically compatible substrate recombinant human L-521. Generation of iPSCs from these blood cell sources allows for recapitulation of the entire genomic repertoire, preservation of genomic fidelity and enhanced genomic stability.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a kit and method for constructing a long-acting depression animal model. The present disclosure adopts Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) (or Mycobacterium bovis (M bovis)) and low-dose pertussis toxin (PTX) for combined induction, which greatly reduces modeling cost. A mouse model constructed by the method of the present disclosure can clearly distinguish a time interval of pathological behaviors from a time interval of depression-like behaviors and has prominent face validity and predictive validity. The method of the present disclosure is simple and convenient and does not require a large number of tedious daily operations as the depression model construction by chronic unpredictable stress, chronic restraint stress, social defeat, mother-child separation, or the like. The mouse model of the present disclosure can provide a valuable long-term intervention window for research on antidepressant therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention includes administering a genetically modified Th17 cell to express a CAR having an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an ICOS intracellular signaling domain.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into somatic cells in a culture medium containing a heparin binding growth factor, the method comprising bringing cells into contact with a conjugate of a laminin E8 fragment and a growth factor binding domain-containing fragment of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. According to the present invention, pluripotent stem cells can be induced to differentiate into any desired somatic cells in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of reducing or eliminating undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells, where the methods comprise contacting an effective amount of a compound to a heterogeneous cell population or sample comprising or suspected of comprising differentiated cell types and undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells, whereby the contacting selectively reduces or eliminates undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells from the cell population or sample. Also provided are methods for obtaining a population of stem cell-derived cell types substantially free of undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells as well as isolated populations of such of stem cell-derived cell types.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule is uniquely designed and encodes an entire CRISPRi or CRISPRa system, while being sized for packaging within a single adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Examples of the nucleic acid molecule include about 4600 to 4700 base pairs. Examples of the nucleic acid molecule can include a nucleotide encoding a Cas polypeptide; a nucleotide encoding a repressor or an activator domain attached to the nucleotide encoding the Cas polypeptide via a linker; a first promoter operably connected to the nucleotide encoding the repressor or activator domain or the nucleotide encoding the Cas polypeptide; a nucleotide encoding an alpha-helical connecting the nucleotide encoding the Cas polypeptide to a nuclear localization signal (NLS); and a second promoter operably connected to a guide RNA (gRNA).

Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing the occurrence and/or development of a hernia within a subject at risk of developing a hernia includes implanting a graft material in contact with an opening in an abdominal wall. The graft material promotes healing of the abdominal wall and includes placental or placental derived tissue.

Abstract: Non-human animals, expressing humanized CD3 proteins are provided. Non-human animals, e.g., rodents, genetically modified to comprise in their genome humanized CD3 proteins are also provided. Additionally, provided are methods and compositions of making such non-human animals, as well as methods of using said non-human animals.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cell creation method that enables a reduction in cost and time, that is highly safe, and that has great potential for being industrially applied. Provided by the present invention is a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent cells in vitro into cells having a same phenotype and function as information-presentation cells, the method comprising co-culturing pluripotent cells or a cellular fraction having said pluripotent cells concentrated therein, together with damaged cells or dead cells derived from information-presentation cells, or together with a portion of the damaged cells or dead cells derived from information-presentation cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising an extraembryonic endodermal (XEN) call and/or an embryonic fibroblast (EF) cell. The invention also provides a method of establishing a XEN cell line or a primary embryonic fibroblast (EF) cell line in vitro, the method comprising culturing a zygote or parthenote from a mammal for a time sufficient to produce one or more blastocysts; and culturing the one or more blastocysts on feeder cells in culture medium for a time sufficient to produce one or a plurality of XEN cells and/or one or a plurality of EF cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disease model animal for tauopathies which reproduces the expression pattern of tau protein isoforms of adult human brain, that is, approximately equal amounts of 3R type tau and 4R type tau being expressed in the adult brain. The method for producing the disease model animal for tauopathies of the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing a tau seeds; and injecting the tau seeds in the brain of an animal carrying a mutation in the tau gene which fails to express the tenth exon. The animal carrying a mutation in the tau gene which fails to express the tenth exon may be produced by using any of the genome editing, gene targeting or base editing technologies.

Abstract: Provided is a genetically modified non-human animal, in which at least one copy of the endogenous nucleotide sequence encoding Protein C in the genome of said the non-human animal has been replaced by a nucleotide sequence encoding human Protein C or a functional fragment or variant thereof. Also provided are vectors, cells, and methods for the production of such non-human animals. Further provided are methods of testing agents for their ability to alter to the level and/or functional activity of human protein C, for example, to test their potential therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNA therapy and, in particular, decreasing immunogenicity of RNA. Specifically, the present invention provides methods for decreasing immunogenicity of RNA, said methods comprising modifying the nucleotide sequence of the RNA by reducing the uridine (U) content, wherein said reduction of the U content comprises an elimination of U nucleosides from the nucleotide sequence of the RNA and/or a substitution of U nucleosides by nucleosides other than U in the nucleotide sequence of the RNA. Using RNA having decreased immunogenicity allows administration of RNA as a drug to a subject, e.g. in order to obtain expression of a pharmaceutically active peptide or protein, without eliciting an immune response which would interfere with therapeutic effectiveness of the RNA or induce adverse effects in the subject.

Abstract: A transplantation method to increase the establishment rate of human tumors in immunodeficient mice. A pocket is created in the mouse and the tumor and surrounding tissues are implanted in the pocket. The pocket is left open to oxygenate the tumor and surrounding tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and composition for use in the treatment of retinal degeneration, in particular retinal degeneration due to retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for improving immunity in shrimps, by administering an extract of cocoa rind to a shrimp body to improve immunity of the shrimp body. The extract of cocoa rind is obtained by extracting a dried sample of cocoa rind by an aqueous ethanol solution with a concentration of ethanol being 90-98%. The dried sample of cocoa rind has a water content of 2-5%.

Abstract: Provided herein are method to increase the efficiency of interspecies chimera generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for producing retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells from human embryonic stem cells, human induced pluripotent stem (iPS), human adult stem cells, human hematopoietic stem cells, human fetal stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, human postpartum stem cells, human multipotent stem cells, or human embryonic germ cells. The RPE cells derived from embryonic stem cells are molecularly distinct from adult and fetal-derived RPE cells, and are also distinct from embryonic stem cells. The RPE cells described herein are useful for treating retinal degenerative conditions including retinal detachment and macular degeneration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of reprogramming one or more somatic cells, e.g., partially differentiated or fully/terminally differentiated somatic cells, to a less differentiated state, e.g., a pluripotent or multipotent state. In further embodiments the invention also relates to reprogrammed somatic cells produced by methods of the invention, to chimeric animals comprising reprogrammed somatic cells of the invention, to uses of said cells, and to methods for identifying agents useful for reprogramming somatic cells.