Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the proliferation of undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells in defined media. Specifically, the invention provides a defined cell culture formulation for the culture, maintenance, and expansion of pluripotent stem cells, wherein culturing stem cells in the defined cell culture formulation maintains the pluripotency and karyotypic stability of the cells for at least 10 passages. Further disclosed is a cell population grown under defined media conditions that express OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, and FOXA2.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic device is provided for soft tissue attachment, reinforcement, and or reconstruction. The device comprises a naturally occurring extracellular matrix portion and a three-dimensional synthetic portion. In illustrated embodiments, the naturally occurring extracellular matrix portion comprises layers of small intestine submucosa, and the three-dimensional synthetic portion comprises a foam or a three-dimensional mesh, textile, or felt.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method utilizing an agent that degrades retinoic acid to produce a population of pancreatic endocrine precursor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to produce a population of cells, wherein greater than 85% of the cells in the population express markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for seeding cells on to a support. In particular, the method relates to a method for seeding cells onto a porous hydrophobic support. The method utilizes centrifugal forces to uniformly guide cell seeding into the support with no loss in viability.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for seeding cells on to a support. In particular, the method relates to a method for seeding cells onto a porous hydrophobic support. The method utilizes centrifugal forces to uniformly guide cell seeding into the support with no loss in viability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods of characterization of cells differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage utilizing unique surface markers. The present invention also provides methods to enrich or sort cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage. The present invention also provides methods to deplete cells that may contaminate populations of cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage formed by the methods of the present invention, thereby reducing the incidence of tumor formation in vivo following transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pluripotent cells that can be readily expanded in culture on tissue culture substrate that is not pre-treated with protein or an extracellular matrix, and do not require a feeder cell line. The present invention also provides methods to derive the pluripotent cell line from human embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: Methods of making a hybrid biologic/synthetic scaffold for repairing damaged or diseased tissue are provided. The methods include the step of suspending pieces of an extracellular matrix material in a liquid to form a slurry, and coating a synthetic mat with the slurry, or mixing or layering the slurry with a synthetic polymer solution. The liquid is subsequently driven off so as to form a foam. Porous implantable scaffolds fabricated by such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic endoderm, pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. The present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to increase the expression of markers associated with the pancreatic endocrine lineage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the expression of MAFA in cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage comprising the steps of culturing the cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage in medium comprising a sufficient amount of a cyclin-dependant kinase inhibitor to cause an increase in expression of MAFA.

Abstract: The present invention includes a tissue scaffold suitable for use in repair and/or regeneration of musculoskeletal tissue when implanted in a body that includes a porous substrate made from a biodegradable, hydrophobic polymer having a modified hyaluronic acid complex dispersed on the surface of and/or, where the modified hyaluronic acid complex is insoluble in water, yet soluble in mixtures of organic and aqueous solvents in which the hydrophobic polymer is soluble.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pluripotent cells that can be readily expanded in culture on tissue culture substrate that is not pre-treated with protein or an extracellular matrix, and do not require a feeder cell line. The present invention also provides methods to derive the pluripotent cell line from human embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and the products related to or resulting from such methods. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. In addition, the present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer and the products related to or resulting from such methods. The present invention also provides methods to promote glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in insulin-producing cells derived from pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: Implantable, biocompatible scaffolds containing a biocompatible, porous, polymeric matrix, a biocompatible, porous, fibrous mat encapsulated by and disposed within said polymeric matrix, and a plurality of mammalian cells seeded within said tissue scaffold. The invention also is directed to methods of treating disease or structural defects in a mammal utilizing the scaffolds of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to an expandable population of chorionic villus-derived cells that can be differentiated into a ?-cell lineage. This invention also provides methods for isolating and expanding such chorionic villus-derived cells, as well as related methods and compositions for utilizing such cells in the therapeutic treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic endoderm, pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. The present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an expandable population of amniotic fluid-derived cells that can be differentiated into a ?-cell lineage. This invention also provides methods for isolating and expanding such amniotic fluid-derived cells, as well as related methods and compositions for utilizing such cells in the therapeutic treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pluripotent cells that can be readily expanded in culture on tissue culture substrate that is not pre-treated with protein or an extracellular matrix, and do not require a feeder cell line. The present invention also provides methods to derive the pluripotent cell line from human embryonic stem cells.