Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in addition to nonembryonic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, stem cells from patients with a disease, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC into floor plate midbrain progenitor cells and then further into large populations of midbrain fate FOXA2+LMX1A+TH+ dopamine (DA) neurons using novel culture conditions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of human stem cells into midbrain dopamine neurons, and precursors thereof, and cells generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such cells for treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for generating topographically organized tissues in vitro, for the resulting cultured tissue and components thereof, and for uses of such cultured tissue and its components in drug discovery, toxicology studies, and therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in addition to nonembryonic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, stem cells from patients with a disease, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC into floor plate midbrain progenitor cells and then further into large populations of midbrain fate FOXA2+LMX1A+TH+ dopamine (DA) neurons using novel culture conditions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells to neural crest, cranial placode or non-neuro ectoderm precursors, and cells generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides uses of such cells for treating neurodegenerative and pituitary disorders.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells into glial competent cells (e.g., astrocyte precursors) and astrocytes, and glial competent cells (e.g., astrocyte precursors) and astrocytes generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides uses of such glial competent cells (e.g., astrocyte precursors) and astrocytes for treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying transcriptional and epigenetic age-related markers. Disclosed herein are also methods and compositions for reprogramming cell age by modulating transcriptional and epigenetic age-related markers identified herein. The identified transcriptional and epigenetic age-related markers can also be used for measuring cellular age in a cell or tissue.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to use of Schwann cell precursors and Schwann cells derived from stem cells (e.g., human stem cells) for drug discovery in regeneration of peripheral nervous system (PNS) and/or central nervous system (CNS), prevention and/or repair myelin damages, and/or prevention and/or treatment of Schwann cell-related disorder (e.g., peripheral neuropathy diabetic peripheral neuropathy).

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells into Schwann cell precursors and Schwann cells, and Schwann cell precursors and Schwann cells generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such Schwann cell precursors and Schwann cells for regeneration of PNS and/or CNS, for prevention and/or repair of myelin damages, and/or for prevention and/or treatment of Schwann cell related disorders (e.g., peripheral neuropathy, e.g., Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cell biology of stem cells, more specifically the directed differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC), somatic stem cells, and induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) using novel culture conditions. Specifically, methods are provided for obtaining neural tissue, floor plate cells, and placode including induction of neural plate development in hESCs for obtaining midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, motor neurons, and sensory neurons. Further, neural plate tissue obtained using methods of the present inventions are contemplated for use in co-cultures with other tissues as inducers for shifting differentiation pathways, i.e. patterning.

Abstract: Cranial placodes are embryonic structures essential for sensory and endocrine organ development. The efficient derivation of cranial placodes from human pluripotent stem cells is disclosed where the timed removal of the BMP inhibitor Noggin, a component of the dual-SMAD inhibition strategy of neural induction, triggers placode induction at the expense of CNS fates. Further fate specification at the pre-placode stage enables the selective generation of placode-derived trigeminal ganglia capable of in vivo engraftment, mature lens fibers and anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells that upon transplantation produce hormones including, but not limited to, human growth hormone and adrenocortiocotropic hormone in vivo. Alternatively, anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells are generated in cell culture systems in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in addition to nonembryonic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, stem cells from patients with a disease, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC into floor plate midbrain progenitor cells and then further into large populations of midbrain fate FOXA2+LMX1A+TH+ dopamine (DA) neurons using novel culture conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cell biology of stem cells, more specifically the directed differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC), somatic stem cells, and induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) using novel culture conditions. Specifically, methods are provided for obtaining neural tissue, floor plate cells, and placode including induction of neural plate development in hESCs for obtaining midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, motorneurons, and sensory neurons. Further, neural plate tissue obtained using methods of the present inventions are contemplated for use in co-cultures with other tissues as inducers for shifting differentiation pathways, i.e. patterning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in addition to nonembryonic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, stem cells from patients with a disease, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC into floor plate midbrain progenitor cells and then further into large populations of midbrain fate FOXA2+LMX1A+TH+ dopamine (DA) neurons using novel culture conditions.

Abstract: Cranial placodes are embryonic structures essential for sensory and endocrine organ development. The efficient derivation of cranial placodes from human pluripotent stem cells is disclosed where the timed removal of the BMP inhibitor Noggin, a component of the dual-SMAD inhibition strategy of neural induction, triggers placode induction at the expense of CNS fates. Further fate specification at the pre-placode stage enables the selective generation of placode-derived trigeminal ganglia capable of in vivo engraftment, mature lens fibers and anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells that upon transplantation produce hormones including, but not limited to, human growth hormone and adrenocortiocotropic hormone in vivo. Alternatively, anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells are generated in cell culture systems in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cell biology of stem cells, more specifically the directed differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC), somatic stem cells, and induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) using novel culture conditions. Specifically, methods are provided for obtaining neural tissue, floor plate cells, and placode including induction of neural plate development in hESCs for obtaining midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, motorneurons, and sensory neurons. Further, neural plate tissue obtained using methods of the present inventions are contemplated for use in co-cultures with other tissues as inducers for shifting differentiation pathways, i.e. patterning.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells (e.g., human stem cells) into proprioceptors, proprioceptors generated by such methods, and compositions comprising such proprioceptors. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such proprioceptors for preventing and/or treating disorders of proprioceptor neurons and/or neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Friedreich's Ataxia).

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of human stem cells into neural crest, cranial placode or non-neuro ectoderm precursors, and cells generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such cells for treating neurodegenerative and pituitary disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cell biology of stem cells, more specifically the directed differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC), somatic stem cells, and induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) using novel culture conditions. Specifically, methods are provided for obtaining neural tissue, floor plate cells, and placode including induction of neural plate development in hESCs for obtaining midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, motorneurons, and sensory neurons. Further, neural plate tissue obtained using methods of the present inventions are contemplated for use in co-cultures with other tissues as inducers for shifting differentiation pathways, i.e. patterning.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of human stem cells into cortical neurons, and cortical neurons generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such cortical neurons for treating neurodegenerative CNS disorders.