Abstract: A method of creating an isogenic multicellular blood-brain barrier model from iPSCs is disclosed.

Abstract: A population of brain pericyte-like cells, wherein the cells express pericyte markers but do not express ACTA2 and wherein the cells are generated from hPSCs, is disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for differentiating brain microvascular endothelial cells having barrier properties and a mature immune phenotype for use in making an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. Further, a BBB model having barrier properties and a mature immune phenotype is provided.

Abstract: A population of brain pericyte-like cells, wherein the cells express pericyte markers but do not express ACTA2 and wherein the cells are generated from hPSCs, is disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods for generating high-yield, high-purity epicardial cells are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is first activated in human cardiac progenitor cells, by, for example, inhibiting Gsk-3 to induce differentiation into epicardial cells. Methods for long-term in vitro maintenance of human cardiac progenitor cell-derived epicardial cells and method comprising chemically defined, xeno-free, and albumin-free culture conditions are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of creating a fully-human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a mixture of neural cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), wherein the neural cells and BMECs that comprise the mixture were produced from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs); (b) purifying BMECs from the mixture of neural cells and BMECs of step (a); and (c) co-culturing the purified BMECs with a cell type selected from the group consisting of pericytes, astrocytes and differentiated neural progenitor cells (NPCs), wherein a blood brain barrier model is created.

Abstract: A population of brain pericyte-like cells, wherein the cells express pericyte markers but do not express ACTA2 and wherein the cells are generated from hPSCs, is disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods for generating high-yield, high-purity epicardial cells are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is first activated in human cardiac progenitor cells, by, for example, inhibiting Gsk-3 to induce differentiation into epicardial cells. Methods for long-term in vitro maintenance of human cardiac progenitor cell-derived epicardial cells and method comprising chemically defined, xeno-free, and albumin-free culture conditions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for generating functional brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) under chemically defined, serum-free conditions are provided. In particular, efficient and cost-effective methods for generating functional BMECs under chemically defined culture conditions are provided. BMECs obtained according to the methods provided herein are suitable for in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for differentiating podocytes from pluripotent stem cells and from other cell types.

Abstract: Methods for generating high-yield, high-purity epicardial cells are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is first activated in human cardiac progenitor cells, by, for example, inhibiting Gsk-3 to induce differentiation into epicardial cells. Methods for long-term in vitro maintenance of human cardiac progenitor cell-derived epicardial cells and method comprising chemically defined, xeno-free, and albumin-free culture conditions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for generating functional brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) under chemically defined, serum-free conditions are provided. In particular, efficient and cost-effective methods for generating functional BMECs under chemically defined culture conditions are provided. BMECs obtained according to the methods provided herein are suitable for in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) formation.

Abstract: Methods for generating high-yield, high-purity epicardial cells are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is first activated in human cardiac progenitor cells, by, for example, inhibiting Gsk-3 to induce differentiation into epicardial cells. Methods for long-term in vitro maintenance of human cardiac progenitor cell-derived epicardial cells and method comprising chemically defined, xeno-free, and albumin-free culture conditions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the design, synthesis and use of various ?-peptides exhibiting antifungal activity. The ?-peptides are relatively short in length, adopt globally amphiphilic conformations, and cause little lysis of human red blood cells at concentrations that kill Candida albicans, a common human fungal pathogen.

Abstract: A three-dimensional microwell system that supports long term pluripotent cell culture and formation of homogeneous embryoid bodies (EBs) is described. Microwell-cultured pluripotent cells remain viable and undifferentiated for several weeks in culture and maintain undifferentiated replication when passaged to Matrigel®-coated, tissue culture-treated polystyrene dishes. Microwell-cultured pluripotent cells maintain pluripotency, differentiating to each of the three embryonic germ layers. Pluripotent cell aggregates released from microwells can be passaged for undifferentiated replication or differentiated to monodisperse EBs. The ability to constrain pluripotent cell growth in three dimensions advantageously provides for more efficient, reproducible culture of undifferentiated cells, high-throughput screening, and the ability to direct pluripotent cell differentiation by generating monodisperse EBs of a desired size and shape.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of creating a fully-human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a mixture of neural cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), wherein the neural cells and BMECs that comprise the mixture were produced from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs); (b) purifying BMECs from the mixture of neural cells and BMECs of step (a); and (c) co-culturing the purified BMECs with a cell type selected from the group consisting of pericytes, astrocytes and differentiated neural progenitor cells (NPCs), wherein a blood brain barrier model is created.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells.