Abstract: The invention relates to methods for altering the fate or differentiation status of somatic cells by RNA transfer. These methods can be used to transdifferentiate or dedifferentiate somatic cells of one phenotype or lineage into pluripotent cells or into somatic cells of a different lineage or phenotype.

Abstract: The identification of 101 genes upregulated or differentially expressed by mature human oocytes is provided herein. These genes and the corresponding gene products will facilitate a greater understanding of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, and embryonic development. In addition these genes and the corresponding gene products can be used to effect dedifferentiation and/or transdifferentiation of desired somatic cells. The resultant dedifferentiated cells and somatic cells derived therefrom can be used in cell therapies such as in the treatment of cancer, autoimmunity, and other diseases wherein specific types of cells such as hematopoietic cells may be depleted because of the underlying disease or the treatment of the disease. Also, a core group of 66 transcripts was identified by intersecting significantly up-regulated genes of the human oocyte with those from the mouse oocyte and from human and mouse embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of phospholipase C zeta in inducing or promoting the activation of oocytes, preferably human oocytes, nuclear transfer embryos, parthenogenic embryos, cross species embryos and during in vitro fertilization. The invention further relates to methods of detecting levels of expression of phospholipase c zeta in sperm as a means of detecting male infertility. The invention also relates to the use of phospholipase C zeta to treat male infertility. Still further the invention relates to the recombinant cells that are engineered to express phospholipase C zeta, preferably under inducible conditions. Also, the invention relates to antibodies specific to phospholipase C zeta, preferably human phospholipase C zeta.