Abstract: Methods for obtaining pluripotent (embryonic stem) cells from parthenogenetic embryos, especially primates, are provided. These cells are useful for producing differentiated cells, tissues and organs, especially human and non-human primate cells, tissues and organs.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor differentiated pig cell nuclei into enucleated pig oocytes is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for multiplication of genotypes and transgenic genotypes by the production of fetuses and offspring. Production of genetically engineered or transgenic pig embryos, fetuses and offspring is facilitated by the present method since the differentiated cell source of the donor nuclei can be genetically modified and clonally propagated.

Abstract: A genetic means of determining whether a female subject produces “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. Microarrays containing “pregnancy signature” genes or corresponding polypeptides provide another preferred aspect of the invention. Still further, the subject invention can be used to derive animal models, e.g.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor differentiated pig cell nuclei into enucleated pig oocytes is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for multiplication of genotypes and transgenic genotypes by the production of fetuses and offspring. Production of genetically engineered or transgenic pig embryos, fetuses and offspring is facilitated by the present method since the differentiated cell source of the donor nuclei can be genetically modified and clonally propagated.

Abstract: A genetic means of determining whether a female subject produces “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. Microarrays containing “pregnancy signature” genes or corresponding polypeptides provide another preferred aspect of the invention. Still further, the subject invention can be used to derive animal models, e.g.

Abstract: Methods for making human ES cells and human differentiated cells and tissues for transplantation are described, whereby the cells and tissues are created following somatic cell nuclear transfer. The nuclear transfer donor is genetically modified prior to nuclear transfer such that cells of at least one developmental lineage are de-differentiated, i.e., unable to develop, thereby resolving the ethical dilemmas involved in reprogramming somatic cells back to the embryonic stage. The method concomitantly directs differentiation such that the desired cells and tissues may be more readily isolated.

Abstract: Improved methods of cell therapy are provided using cells and tissues that are histocompatible with a human or non-human mammal transplant recipient. The cells and tissues for transplant produced by the present invention exhibit a youthful state and can be committed to specific cell lineages to better infiltrate and proliferate at a desired target, e.g., a tissue, or organ in need of cell replacement therapy. For providing cells and tissues for transplant to a non-human mammal, the cells and tissues can be isolated from a gastrulating embryo produced by same-species nuclear transfer. Histocompatible cells and tissues for transplant to a human can be isolated from a gastrulating embryo that (i) is genetically modified to be in capable of developing beyond and early stage, or (ii) is produced by cross-species nuclear transfer between a human nuclear donor cell and an enucleated recipient cell, e.g.

Abstract: A genetic means of determining whether a female subject produces “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. Microarrays containing “pregnancy signature” genes or corresponding polypeptides provide another preferred aspect of the invention. Still further, the subject invention can be used to derive animal models, e.g.

Abstract: Novel cultured inner cell mass (CICM) cells, and cell lines, derived from ungulates, in particular, pigs and cows, and methods for their preparation are provided. The subject CICMs possess similar morphology and express cell markers identically or substantially similarly to ICMs of undifferentiated developing embryos for prolonged culturing periods. Heterologous DNA is inserted into the subject CICM cells and cell lines so as produce transgenic CICM cell which are introduced into non-human fertilized embryos to produce transgenic chimeric embryos. The transgenic chimeric embryos are transferred into recipient females where they are permitted to develop into transgenic chimeric fetuses. Recipient females give birth to transgenic chimeric animals which are capable of transmitting the heterologous DNA to their progeny. Transgenic CICM cells are also used to produce cloned transgenic embryos, fetuses and offspring.

Abstract: Methods for producing derived differentiated cells from chimeric animals, fetuses and embryos derived from non-human chimeric embryos are provided. These non-human chimeric embryos are obtained by introduction of at least one transgenic ES or ES-like cell into a recipient non-human embryo, e.g., blastocyst stage embryo, wherein said ES or ES-like cell comprises DNA constructs that contain markers and promoters which allow for selective survival of a desired differentiated cell, tissue organ and ablation of other cells that originate from said transgenic ES or ES-like cells.

Abstract: An improved method of producing differentiated progenitor cells comprising obtaining inner cell mass cells from a blastocyst and inducing differentiation of the inner cell mass cells to produce differentiated progenitor cells. The differentiated progenitor cells may be transfected such that there is an addition, deletion or alteration of a desired gene. The differentiated progenitor cells are useful in cell therapy and as a I source of cells for the production of tissues and organs for transplantation. Also provided is a method of producing a lineage-defective human embryonic stem cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rejuvenating normal somatic cells and for making normal somatic cells of a different type having the same genotype as a normal somatic cell of interest. These cells have particular application in cell and tissue transplantation. Also encompassed are methods of re-cloning cloned animals, particularly methods where the offspring of cloned mammals are designed to be genetically altered in comparison to their cloned parent, e.g., that are “hyper-young.” These animals should be healthier and possess desirable properties relative to their cloned parent. Also included are methods for activating endogenous telomerase, EPC-1 activity, and or the ALT pathway and/or extending the life-span of a normal somatic cell, and other genes associated with cell aging and proliferation capacity.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes of a species different from the donor cell is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for the production of isogenic embryonic stem cells, in particular human isogenic embryonic or stem cells. These embryonic or stem-like cells are useful for producing desired differentiated cells and for introduction, removal or modification, of desired genes, e.g., at specific sites of the genome of such cells by homologous recombination. These cells, which may contain a heterologous gene, are especially useful in cell transplantation therapies and for in vitro study of cell differentiation.

Abstract: Transgenic and cloned ungulates and particularly cloned cattle are disclosed, wherein such cattle contain a deletion or disruption of the prion gene locus and do not express functional prion protein, and are not susceptible to prion-related diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopy or Mad Cow Disease.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor differentiated cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes of the same species as the donor cell is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for multiplication of genotypes and transgenic genotypes by the production of fetuses and offspring, and for production of isogenic CICM cells, including human isogenic embryonic or stem cells. Production of genetically engineered or transgenic mammalian embryos, fetuses and offspring is facilitated by the present method since the differentiated cell source of the donor nuclei can be genetically modified and clonally propagated.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes of a species different from the donor cell is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for the production of isogenic embryonic stem cells, in particular human isogenic embryonic or stem cells. These embryonic or stem-like cells are useful for producing desired differentiated cells and for introduction, removal or modification, of desired genes, e.g., at specific sites of the genome of such cells by homologous recombination. These cells, which may contain a heterologous gene, are especially useful in cell transplantation therapies and for in vitro study of cell differentiation.

Abstract: Methods and cell lines for cloning ungulate embryos and offspring, in particular bovines and porcines, are provided. The resultant fetuses, embryos or offspring are especially useful for the expression of desired heterologous DNAs, and may be used as a source of cells or tissue for transplantation therapy for the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making immune compatible tissues and cells for the purpose of transplantation and tissue engineering, using the techniques of nuclear transfer and cloning. Also encompassed are methods for determining the effect on immune compatibility of expressed transgenes and other genetic manipulations of the engineered cells and tissues.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor differentiated pig cell nuclei into enucleated pig oocytes is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for multiplication of genotypes and transgenic genotypes by the production of fetuses and offspring. Production of genetically engineered or transgenic pig embryos, fetuses and offspring is facilitated by the present method since the differentiated cell source of the donor nuclei can be genetically modified and clonally propagated.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rejuvenating primary cells and for making primary cells of a different type having the same genotype as a primary cell of interest. Also encompassed are methods of re-cloning cloned mammals, particularly methods where the offspring of cloned mammals are designed to be genetically altered in comparison to their cloned parent. Also included are methods for activating endogenous telomerase for the purpose of extending the life span of a primary cell.