Abstract: Sox gene expression correlates in general with specific stages during embryogenesis. It has been determined that the expression of Sox genes may be used, as directed herein, to induce or select pluripotent cells which are at least partially committed to a given developmental pathway. There is provided a method for isolating a pluripotent cell which is at least partially committed to a given developmental pathway, comprising the steps of: a) selecting a population of pluripotent cells; b) sorting the cells according to Sox gene expression; and c) isolating those cells which express a give Sox gene.