Abstract: A method of generating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing human pluripotent stem cells in a human feeder cell-conditioned medium to obtain a cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells; (b) culturing said cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a differentiating agent to obtain differentiating cells; and (c) culturing said differentiating cells in a medium comprising one or more members of the TGF? superfamily.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject with dry-form age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is disclosed. The method comprises administering into the subretina of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising human RPE cells, wherein at least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), and wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms to the subject, thereby treating the subject.

Abstract: A method of generating human mature oligodendrocytes is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a cell population which comprises human pre-oligodendrocytes with an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK pathway under conditions that allow the pre-oligodendrocytes to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. Use of the MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitor for treating diseases is also disclosed.

Abstract: A culture of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is disclosed. In the culture, more than 50% of the hPSCs are formative hPSCs and are capable of renewing. Uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing human pluripotent stem cells in a human feeder cell-conditioned medium to obtain a cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells; (b) culturing said cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a differentiating agent to obtain differentiating cells; and (c) culturing said differentiating cells in a medium comprising one or more members of the TGF? superfamily.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed which comprises at least two populations of autosomal-identical induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), wherein the complement of sex chromosomes of the first population of the at least two populations is non-identical to the complement of sex chromosomes of the second population of the at least two populations. Uses thereof and methods of generating same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing human pluripotent stem cells in a human feeder cell-conditioned medium to obtain a cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells; (b) culturing said cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a differentiating agent to obtain differentiating cells; and (c) culturing said differentiating cells in a medium comprising one or more members of the TGF? superfamily.

Abstract: A method of selecting retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells from a mixed population of cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) analyzing the cells of the mixed population of cells for at least one of the following parameters: (i) cells which autofluorescence above a predetermined threshold; (ii) cells which express CD81 above a predetermined threshold; and (iii) cells which scatter light perpendicular to a laser beam above a predetermined threshold; and (b) selecting cells which are positive for at least one of the parameters, thereby sorting RPE cells from a mixed population of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of neural cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In particular it relates to directing the differentiation of human ES cells into neural progenitors and neural cells and the production of functioning neural cells and/or neural cells of a specific type. The invention also includes the use of these cells for the treatment of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed which comprises at least two populations of autosomal-identical induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), wherein the complement of sex chromosomes of the first population of the at least two populations is non-identical to the complement of sex chromosomes of the second population of the at least two populations. Uses thereof and methods of generating same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an agent is a neuroeffector is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) labeling dopaminergic neurons which are comprised in a mixed population of cells with a fluorescent dopamine analog; (b) measuring a level of fluorescence in the mixed population of cells; (c) exposing the mixed population of cells to the agent; (d) remeasuring a level of fluorescence in the mixed population of cells, wherein a change in the level of fluorescence is indicative of the substance being a neuroeffector.

Abstract: A method of generating retinal pigment epithelium cells is disclosed. Cell populations comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing human pluripotent stem cells in a human feeder cell-conditioned medium to obtain a cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells; (b) culturing said cultured population of human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a differentiating agent to obtain differentiating cells; and (c) culturing said differentiating cells in a medium comprising one or more members of the TGF? superfamily.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject with dry-form age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is disclosed. The method comprises administering into the subretina of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising human RPE cells, wherein at least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms to the subject, thereby treating the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of neural cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In particular it relates to directing the differentiation of human ES cells into neural progenitors and neural cells and the production of functioning neural cells and/or neural cells of a specific type. The invention also includes the use of these cells for the treatment of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method of selecting retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells from a mixed population of cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) analyzing the cells of the mixed population of cells for at least one of the following parameters: (i) cells which autofluorescence above a predetermined threshold; (ii) cells which express CD81 above a predetermined threshold; and (iii) cells which scatter light perpendicular to a laser beam above a predetermined threshold; and (b) selecting cells which are positive for at least one of the parameters, thereby sorting RPE cells from a mixed population of cells.

Abstract: A method of selecting retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells from a mixed population of cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) analyzing the cells of the mixed population of cells for at least one of the following parameters: (i) cells which autofluorescence above a predetermined threshold; (ii) cells which express CD81 above a predetermined threshold; and (iii) cells which scatter light perpendicular to a laser beam above a predetermined threshold; and (b) selecting cells which are positive for at least one of the parameters, thereby sorting RPE cells from a mixed population of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of neural cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In particular it relates to directing the differentiation of human ES cells into neural progenitors and neural cells and the production of functioning neural cells and/or neural cells of a specific type. The invention also includes the use of these cells for the treatment of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an agent is a neuroeffector is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) labeling dopaminergic neurons which are comprised in a mixed population of cells with a fluorescent dopamine analog; (b) measuring a level of fluorescence in the mixed population of cells; (c) exposing the mixed population of cells to the agent; (d) remeasuring a level of fluorescence in the mixed population of cells, wherein a change in the level of fluorescence is indicative of the substance being a neuroeffector.

Abstract: The present invention concerns RPE cells obtainable by directed differentiation from stem cell, particularly, human stem cells. It has been specifically found that culturing stem cells in the presence of one or more member of the TGF? superfamily, such as Activin A) induced directed differentiation into mature and functional RPE cells. This was evidenced by the expression of markers specific to mature RPE cells, including MiTF-A, RPE65 or Bestrophin). In accordance with one particular embodiment, the cells are a priori cultured with nicotinamide (NA) which was found to augment the cells' response to the inductive effect of the one or more member of the TGF? superfamily. The invention also provides methods of performing the directed differentiation, as well as methods for use of the resulting RPE cells.