Abstract: An evaluation device includes a state determination unit which is configured to determine a state of cells which are an observation target under non-standard conditions on the basis of information acquired from an image of cells under standard conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing neural stem cells, the method including a culture step of culturing cells using a medium that contains a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor. The method for producing neural stem cells is a method that includes a first culture step of culturing cells using a first medium that does not contain a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor, and a second culture step of culturing the cells using a second medium that contains a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor, after the first culture step. The method for producing neural stem cells is a method that includes a first culture step of culturing cells using a first medium that contains ascorbic acid or an ascorbic acid derivative, and a second culture step of culturing the cells using a second medium that contains a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor, after the first culture step.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an albumin-free medium for serum-free culture of pluripotent stem cells capable of maintaining the undifferentiated state and the pluripotency (pluripotent ability) of the pluripotent stem cells, an additive for an albumin-free medium, and a culture method. The albumin-free medium for serum-free culture of pluripotent stem cells, the additive for an albumin-free medium, and a medium used for the culture method of the invention are characterized by containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a Pluronic nonionic surfactant, an animal-based hydrolysate, and a nonanimal-based hydrolysate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a medium for culturing naive pluripotent stem cells which is for efficiently proliferating naive pluripotent stem cells while maintaining the undifferentiated state and the pluripotency (pluripotent capability) of the naive pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: An evaluation device includes a state determination unit which is configured to determine a state of cells which are an observation target under non-standard conditions on the basis of information acquired from an image of cells under standard conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a gene transduction method for use in the induction of the differentiation of stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells into hepatocytes effectively; stem cells into each of which a gene useful for the induction of the differentiation into hepatocytes is introduced; and hepatocytes produced from stem cells each having the gene introduced therein. A specific gene can be introduced into stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells using an adenovirus vector. The effective induction of the differentiation into hepatocytes can be achieved by introducing the gene. Specifically, the effective induction of the differentiation of stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells into hepatocytes can be achieved by introducing at least one gene selected from HEX gene, HNF4A gene, HNF6 gene and SOX17 gene into the stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a lipid substance on an iPS cell surface and an ES cell surface as an epitope, and does not recognize EC cells, the antibody having a cytotoxic activity against a target cell, a method of producing a uniform differentiated cell population free of an undifferentiated cell, including contacting a cell population differentiated from an iPS or ES cell with the above antibody, and recovering viable cells, an agent for a cell transplantation therapy, containing a differentiated cell population obtained by the method, and the like.

Abstract: An aim of the present invention is to provide a method for culturing a human pluripotent stem cell while maintaining an undifferentiated state, more efficiently than conventional methods, and a kit therefor. The pluripotency of a stem cell was found to be maintained at a high rate, regardless of experimenter's proficiency in culturing techniques, by (a) culturing a human pluripotent stem cell in a first medium which a medium for pluripotent stem cell comprising activin; (b) replacing the first medium with a second medium which is a medium for pluripotent stem cell comprising no activin, and culturing the human pluripotent stem cell, (c) subculturing the human pluripotent stem cell into the first medium, and then repeating the above (b) and (c) sequentially.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a gene transduction method for use in the induction of the differentiation of stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells into hepatocytes effectively; stem cells into each of which a gene useful for the induction of the differentiation into hepatocytes is introduced; and hepatocytes produced from stem cells each having the gene introduced therein. A specific gene can be introduced into stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells using an adenovirus vector. The effective induction of the differentiation into hepatocytes can be achieved by introducing the gene. Specifically, the effective induction of the differentiation of stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells into hepatocytes can be achieved by introducing at least one gene selected from HEX gene, HNF4A gene, HNF6 gene and SOX17 gene into the stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a medium for a serum-free medium capable of culturing ES cells for a long period while maintaining their undifferentiated state without using feeder cells, and a basal medium for producing the medium thus described. The basal medium of the present invention is characterized by that it has composition shown by Table I. Further, the present invention discloses a medium for ES cells produced with the basal medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a medium for a serum-free medium capable of culturing ES cells for a long period while maintaining their undifferentiated state without using feeder cells, and a basal medium for producing the medium thus described. The basal medium of the present invention is characterized by that it has composition shown by Table I. Further, the present invention discloses a medium for ES cells produced with the basal medium.