Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into somatic cells in a culture medium containing a heparin binding growth factor, the method comprising bringing cells into contact with a conjugate of a laminin E8 fragment and a growth factor binding domain-containing fragment of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. According to the present invention, pluripotent stem cells can be induced to differentiate into any desired somatic cells in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: A method for easily and efficiently preparing a functional and matured neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in vitro includes producing an artificial neuromuscular junction by transiently expressing MyoD in pluripotent stem cells to induce myogenic differentiation, and culturing the cells obtained by transiently expressing MyoD in pluripotent stem cells to induce myogenic differentiation in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor to induce neuronal differentiation.

Abstract: An observation system includes a microscope optical system, an image pickup unit, an image pickup control unit, a detection unit, and an observation control unit. The image pickup unit is configured to take an image of a field-of-view range of the microscope optical system. The image pickup control unit is configured to cause the image pickup unit to take images of an observation sample in the field-of-view range at a plurality of focal positions and generate detection images. The detection unit is configured to detect a three-dimensional position of an observation target object in the observation sample from the detection images. The observation control unit is configured to fit the field-of-view range of the microscope optical system to the three-dimensional position.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing vascular endothelial cells from pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) a step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in a culture medium comprising a BMP, on a culture vessel coated with a first matrix, to produce mesodermal progenitor cells; (ii) a step of dissociating the resulting cells into single cells; and (iii) a step of culturing the resulting cells in a culture medium comprising VEGF, on a culture vessel coated with a second matrix selected from the group consisting of laminin-411 or a fragment thereof, laminin-511 or a fragment thereof, Matrigel, type IV collagen and fibronectin.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into somatic cells in a culture medium containing a heparin binding growth factor, the method comprising bringing cells into contact with a conjugate of a laminin E8 fragment and a growth factor binding domain-containing fragment of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. According to the present invention, pluripotent stem cells can be induced to differentiate into any desired somatic cells in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing vascular endothelial cells from pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) a step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in a culture medium comprising a BMP, on a culture vessel coated with a first matrix, to produce mesodermal progenitor cells; (ii) a step of dissociating the resulting cells into single cells; and (iii) a step of culturing the resulting cells in a culture medium comprising VEGF, on a culture vessel coated with a second matrix selected from the group consisting of laminin-411 or a fragment thereof, laminin-511 or a fragment thereof, Matrigel, type IV collagen and fibronectin.

Abstract: An observation system includes a microscope optical system, an image pickup unit, an image pickup control unit, a detection unit, and an observation control unit. The image pickup unit is configured to take an image of a field-of-view range of the microscope optical system. The image pickup control unit is configured to cause the image pickup unit to take images of an observation sample in the field-of-view range at a plurality of focal positions and generate detection images. The detection unit is configured to detect a three-dimensional position of an observation target object in the observation sample from the detection images. The observation control unit is configured to fit the field-of-view range of the microscope optical system to the three-dimensional position.

Abstract: An observation system includes a microscope optical system, an image pickup unit, an image pickup control unit, a detection unit, and an observation control unit. The image pickup unit is configured to take an image of a field-of-view range of the microscope optical system. The image pickup control unit is configured to cause the image pickup unit to take images of an observation sample in the field-of-view range at a plurality of focal positions and generate detection images. The detection unit is configured to detect a three-dimensional position of an observation target object in the observation sample from the detection images. The observation control unit is configured to fit the field-of-view range of the microscope optical system to the three-dimensional position.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel method for producing mesodermal cells, and a graft material containing mesodermal cells obtained by this method. The present invention also aims to provide a novel method for producing hematopoietic cells, and a therapeutic agent for blood diseases containing a hematopoietic cell obtained by the method. These objects can be achieved by providing a novel method for producing mesodermal cells and/or hematopoietic cells, which method includes culturing pluripotent stem cells in contact with a three-dimensional support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening drugs for suppressing inflammasome activity, using macrophages derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) having mutant NLRP3 gene.

Abstract: A dendritic cell is produced from pluripotent stem cells by culturing pluripotent stem cells by the following steps: (1) performing adherent culture in a medium which comprises a BMP family protein but does not comprise serum; (2) performing adherent culture in a medium which comprises VEGF but does not comprise serum; (3) performing adherent culture in a medium which comprises a hematopoietic factor but does not comprise serum; and (4) performing suspension culture in a medium which does not comprise serum.

Abstract: An observation system includes a microscope optical system, an image pickup unit, an image pickup control unit, a detection unit, and an observation control unit. The image pickup unit is configured to take an image of a field-of-view range of the microscope optical system. The image pickup control unit is configured to cause the image pickup unit to take images of an observation sample in the field-of-view range at a plurality of focal positions and generate detection images. The detection unit is configured to detect a three-dimensional position of an observation target object in the observation sample from the detection images. The observation control unit is configured to fit the field-of-view range of the microscope optical system to the three-dimensional position.

Abstract: A blood analysis apparatus includes an analysis section. The analysis section is configured to compare a measurement spectrum obtained regarding red blood cells with a standard spectrum of heme, biliverdin, and bilirubin, and cause the measurement spectrum to belong to any one of the standard spectra.

Abstract: A dendritic cell is produced from pluripotent stem cells by culturing pluripotent stem cells by the following steps: (1) performing adherent culture in a medium which comprises a BMP family protein but does not comprise serum; (2) performing adherent culture in a medium which comprises VEGF but does not comprise serum; (3) performing adherent culture in a medium which comprises a hematopoietic factor but does not comprise serum; and (4) performing suspension culture in a medium which does not comprise serum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening drugs for suppressing inflammasome activity, using macrophages derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) having mutant NLRP3 gene.

Abstract: A blood analysis apparatus includes an analysis section. The analysis section is configured to compare a measurement spectrum obtained regarding red blood cells with a standard spectrum of heme, biliverdin, and bilirubin, and cause the measurement spectrum to belong to any one of the standard spectra.