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), human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, cancer stem cells, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC to nociceptors (i.e. nociceptor cells) using novel culture conditions. The nociceptors made using the methods of the present invention are further contemplated for various uses including, but limited to, use in in vitro drug discovery assays, pain research, and as a therapeutic to reverse disease of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Further, compositions and methods are provided for producing melanocytes from human pluripotent stem cells for use in disease modeling.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells into enteric neural crest lineage cells, and enteric neural crest lineage cells by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such enteric neural crest lineage cells for preventing and/or treating enteric nervous system disorders (e.g, Hirschsprung's disease), and for screening compounds suitable for preventing and/or treating enteric nervous system disorders (e.g., Hirschsprung's disease).

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 an in vitro human neuromuscular junction model prepared from a co-culture of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived spinal motorneurons and human myoblast-derived skeletal muscle cells. The present invention also provides for methods of screening compounds for their ability to modulate neuromuscular junction activity by determining whether a candidate compound increases or decreases the activity of the in vitro human neuromuscular junction model.

Abstract: Provided are age-modified cells and method for making age modified cells using progerin or a progerin-like protein. The aging and/or maturation process can be accelerated and controlled for young and/or immature cells, such as a somatic cell, a stem cell, a stem cell-derived somatic cell, including an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell, by contacting with progerin or a progerin-like protein. Methods described by the present disclosure can produce age-appropriate cells from a somatic cell or a stem cell, such as an old cell and/or a mature cell. Such age-modified cells constitute model systems for the study of late-onset diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: Provided are age-modified cells and method for making age modified cells using progerin or a progerin-like protein. The aging and/or maturation process can be accelerated and controlled for young and/or immature cells, such as a somatic cell, a stem cell, a stem cell-derived somatic cell, including an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell, by contacting with progerin or a progerin-like protein. Methods described by the present disclosure can produce age-appropriate cells from a somatic cell or a stem cell, such as an old cell and/or a mature cell. Such age-modified cells constitute model systems for the study of late-onset diseases and/or disorders.

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: Provided are age-modified cells and method for making age modified cells by reducing or increasing the level of genomic nucleic acid methylation in the cells. The aging and/or maturation process can be accelerated or reduced and controlled for young, aged, mature and/or immature cells, such as a somatic cell, a stem cell, a stem cell-derived somatic cell, including an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell, by reducing or increasing the level of genomic nucleic acid methylation in the cells. Methods described by the present disclosure can produce age-appropriate cells from a somatic cell or a stem cell, such as an old cell, young cell, immature cell, and/or a mature cell. Such age-modified cells constitute model systems for the study of late-onset diseases and/or 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 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: 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 methods of isolating a purified or enriched population of cortical or striatal immature interneuron progenitor cells and the isolated purified or enriched population of immature interneuron progenitor cells. Methods of treating a condition mediated by a loss or deficiency of interneuron function using the purified or enriched population of immature interneuron progenitor cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the linage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC), human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, cancer stem cells, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC to nociceptors (i.e. nociceptor cells) using novel culture conditions. The nociceptors made using the methods of the present invention are further contemplated for various uses including, but limited to, use in in vitro drug discovery assays, pain research, and as a therapeutic to reverse disease of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Further, compositions and methods are provided for producing melanocytes from human pluripotent stem cells for use in disease modeling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the linage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC), human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, cancer stem cells, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC to nociceptors (i.e. nociceptor cells) using novel culture conditions. The nociceptors made using the methods of the present invention are further contemplated for various uses including, but limited to, use in in vitro drug discovery assays, pain research, and as a therapeutic to reverse disease of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Further, compositions and methods are provided for producing melanocytes from human pluripotent stem cells for use in disease modeling.

Abstract: Provided are age-modified cells and method for making age modified cells using progerin or a progerin-like protein. The aging and/or maturation process can be accelerated and controlled for young and/or immature cells, such as a somatic cell, a stem cell, a stem cell-derived somatic cell, including an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell, by contacting with progerin or a progerin-like protein. Methods described by the present disclosure can produce age-appropriate cells from a somatic cell or a stem cell, such as an old cell and/or a mature cell. Such age-modified cells constitute model systems for the study of late-onset diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: Provided are cortical interneurons and other neuronal cells and in vitro methods for producing such cortical interneurons and other neuronal cells by the directed differentiation of stem cells and neuronal progenitor cells. The present disclosure relates to novel methods of in vitro differentiation of stem cells and neural progenitor cells to produce several type neuronal cells and their precursor cells, including cortical interneurons, hypothalamic neurons and pre-optic cholinergic neurons. The present disclose describes the derivation of these cells via inhibiting SMAD and Wnt signaling pathways and activating SHH signaling pathway. The present disclosure relates to the novel discovery that the timing and duration of SHH activation can be harnessed to direct controlled differentiation of neural progenitor cells into either cortical interneurons, hypothalamic neurons or pre-optic cholinergic neurons.

Abstract: GUCY2C receptor ligands conjugated to diagnostic and/or therapeutic moieties, methods of making such GUCY2C receptor ligands conjugates, and methods of using such GUCY2C receptor ligands conjugates, such as in the diagnosis and/or treatment of Parkinson's disease, are described.

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 linage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC), human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, cancer stem cells, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC to nociceptors (i.e. nociceptor cells) using novel culture conditions. The nociceptors made using the methods of the present invention are further contemplated for various uses including, but limited to, use in in vitro drug discovery assays, pain research, and as a therapeutic to reverse disease of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Further, compositions and methods are provided for producing melanocytes from human pluripotent stem cells for use in disease modeling.