Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing neuroectoderm and retinal progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells, and compositions of retinal progenitor cells produced thereby.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of subjects having a neurodegenerative disease, where the motor neurons exhibit phenotypes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for screening putative therapeutic agents and methods for diagnosing living subjects as having a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, the present invention provides therapeutic gene transfer methods for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods and compositions for preparing a neural tissue construct. In particular, provided herein are methods for generating a neural tissue construct using glutamatergic cortical progenitor cells; GABAergic interneuron progenitor cells; and bio-ink.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining populations of norepinephrine (NE) neuronal progenitor cells and creating enriched populations of NE neurons are provided herein. Also provided herein are methods for obtaining genetically modified NE neurons expressing a NE sensor or a TH-reporter, and methods for using NE neurons obtained according to the methods of this disclosure.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of subjects having a neurodegenerative disease, where the motor neurons exhibit phenotypes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for screening putative therapeutic agents and methods for diagnosing living subjects as having a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, the present invention provides therapeutic gene transfer methods for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for inducing chemical senescence in neurons and methods of using chemically induced senescent neurons for modeling neurodegenerative disease and drug discovery. The methods include contacting human neurons with a culture medium comprising an inhibitor of DNA glycosylase 1, an autophagy inhibitor, and an HIV protease inhibitor to obtain an in vitro population of senescent neurons within about 4 days. When the neurons are obtained from a patient having a neurodegenerative disease, chemically induced senescent neurons obtained by these methods recapitulate cellular and subcellular phenotypes observed in individuals with the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for expanding dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells are described herein that include use of compositions and culture media that have at least the following components: an FGF, an agonist of SHH signaling, an agonist of canonical Wnt signaling, and Wnt-C59. The methods include contacting dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells with a culture medium comprising an FGF, an agonist of SHH signaling, an agonist of canonical Wnt signaling, and Wnt-C59, to generate an expanded dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell population.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of subjects having a neurodegenerative disease, where the motor neurons exhibit phenotypes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for screening putative therapeutic agents and methods for diagnosing living subjects as having a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, the present invention provides therapeutic gene transfer methods for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are efficient, scalable methods for in vitro production of human retinal progenitor cells. In addition, provided herein are methods for isolating pure populations of in vitro produced human retinal progenitor cells as well as kits and compositions comprising such pure populations of human retinal progenitor cells.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of subjects having a neurodegenerative disease, where the motor neurons exhibit phenotypes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for screening putative therapeutic agents and methods for diagnosing living subjects as having a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, the present invention provides therapeutic gene transfer methods for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of subjects having a neurodegenerative disease, where the motor neurons exhibit phenotypes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for screening putative therapeutic agents and methods for diagnosing living subjects as having a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, the present invention provides therapeutic gene transfer methods for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of subjects having a neurodegenerative disease, where the motor neurons exhibit phenotypes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for screening putative therapeutic agents and methods for diagnosing living subjects as having a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, the present invention provides therapeutic gene transfer methods for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of differentiating embryonic stem cells into neural and motor cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises culturing a population of cells comprising a majority of cells that are characterized by an early rosette morphology and are Sox1?/Pax6+ in the presence of FGF2, FGF4, FGF8, FGF 9, or RA wherein the cells are characterized by an neural tube-like rosette morphology and are Pax6+/Sox1+.

Abstract: A transcription factor both necessary and sufficient for human neuroectoderm specification, Pax6, as well as applications thereof, is disclosed.