Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for inducing a somatic cell to acquire a less differentiated phenotype and for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (i PS cells) by inducing expression of ASF1A in the cell and/or by contacting the cell with GDF9. Also provided herein are compositions and methods for treating and/or diagnosing cancer and for identifying agents useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: A genetic means of identifying “pregnancy competent” oocytes is provided. The means comprises detecting the level of expression of one or more genes that are expressed at characteristic levels (upregulated or downregulated) in cumulus cells derived from pregnancy competent oocytes. This characteristic gene expression level, or pattern referred to herein as the “pregnancy signature”, also can be used to identify subjects with underlying conditions that impair or prevent the development of a viable pregnancy, e.g., pre-menopausal condition, other hormonal dysfunction, ovarian dysfunction, ovarian cyst, cancer or other cell proliferation disorder, autoimmune disease and the like.

Abstract: A genetic means of identifying “pregnancy competent” oocytes is provided. The means comprises detecting the level of expression of one or more genes that are expressed at characteristic levels (upregulated or downregulated) in cumulus cells derived from pregnancy competent oocytes. This characteristic gene expression level, or pattern referred to herein as the “pregnancy signature”, also can be used to identify subjects with under-lying conditions that impair or prevent the development of a viable pregnancy, e.g., pre-menopausal condition, other hormonal dysfunction, ovarian dysfunction, ovarian cyst, cancer or other cell proliferation disorder, autoimmune disease and the like. In preferred embodiments the pregnancy signature will comprise one or more of AB-CA6, NCAM1, OLFML3, PTPRA, SDF4, GPR137B, DDIT4, DUSP1, GPR137B, IDUA, KCTD5, NDNL2, SLC26A3, and TERF2IP.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of producing enucleated cells by photoablation. Such enucleated cells may be used as recipient cells for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer and cloning. The nuclear donor and/or enucleated recipient cells may be any fish cells, such as zebrafish, koi, or medaka fish cells. Such methods may be used to efficiently produce transgenic fish including by way of example zebrafish, koi, and medaka fish.