Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions and methods for generating a population of PGCs with improved efficiencies and line-to-line consistency. Inductive signals are temporally dynamic: WNT activation for 12 hours incipiently differentiates primed hPSCs into posterior epiblast, while subsequently, sharp WNT inhibition together with BMP activation specifies PGCs. hPSC-derived PGCs can be easily purified by virtue of their CXCR4+PDGFR?-GARP-surface-marker profile.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the efficient differentiation of hPSCs into HSC-like cells and endothelial cells in defined, monolayer conditions solely using extracellular signals to guide differentiation. The instant disclosure also provides methods of screening for cellular responses of the generated hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial cells and derivatives thereof. Treatment methods making use of the generated hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial cells are also provided. The instant disclosure also provides systems, compositions, and kits for practicing the methods of the disclosure.

Abstract: Serum albumin-free media comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and methods of culturing immune cells in such media are disclosed. The PVA is used as a replacement for fetal bovine serum, bovine serum albumin, and recombinant serum albumin in media. Advantages of using PVA include that it is a chemically-defined reagent that is available at high-purity with minimal batch-to-batch variability.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and kits for the differentiation of stem cells into relevant liver cell lineages, as well as methods of using the relevant liver cell lineages in screening for a cellular response, a phenotype and in the treatment of a condition. In one embodiment, stem cells are first differentiated into cells of the definitive endoderm lineage, which are differentiated into posterior foregut (PFG) lineage cells by one or more of retinoic acid activators and/or one or more inhibitors of transforming growth factor-? (TGF?).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an understanding of the regulation of the developmental phases of stem cells and their induction into relevant cell lineages, such as primitive streak, endoderm, mesoderm, or subterrotories of endoderm's. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods, culture medium and kits for the maintenance and differentiation of stem cells into relevant cell lineages.