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 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 object of the present invention is to develop a technique for expanding hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells can be expanded by using at least one HDGF substance.

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: The present invention relates to a method for producing human eosinophils from human pluripotent stem cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing human eosinophils from human pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (1) co-culturing, in the presence of VEGF, human pluripotent stem cells with cells separated from the AGM region of a mammalian fetus; (2) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, IL-6, Flt3 ligand, SCF, TPO and serum; (3) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, SCF, GM-CSF and serum; and, optionally, (4) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, IL-5 and serum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing human eosinophils from human pluripotent stem cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing human eosinophils from human pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (1) co-culturing, in the presence of VEGF, human pluripotent stem cells with cells separated from the AGM region of a mammalian fetus; (2) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, IL-6, Flt3 ligand, SCF, TPO and serum; (3) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, SCF, GM-CSF and serum; and, optionally, (4) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, IL-5 and 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 method for inducing the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into skeletal muscle or skeletal muscle progenitor cells is provided. Specifically, a method for producing artificial skeletal muscle or skeletal muscle progenitor cells from human pluripotent stem cells is provided, comprising the following steps of: (1) culturing human pluripotent stem cells by suspension culture; (2) culturing a cell population after suspension culture by adhesion culture; (3) dissociating cells after adhesion culture; and (4) culturing the dissociated cells by adhesion culture. Artificial skeletal muscle or induced skeletal muscle progenitor cells prepared by the method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunodeficient mouse (NOG mouse) suitable for engraftment, differentiation and proliferation of heterologous cells, and a method of producing such a mouse. This mouse is obtained by backcrossing a C.B-17-scid mouse with an NOD/Shi mouse, and further backcrossing an interleukin 2-receptor ?-chain gene-knockout mouse with the thus backcrossed mouse. It is usable for producing a human antibody and establishing a stem cell assay system, a tumor model and a virus-infection model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing human mast cells from human pluripotent stem cells. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for producing human mast cells from human pluripotent stem cells, comprising the steps of: (a) culturing human pluripotent stem cells under a condition suitable for promoting differentiation of the human pluripotent stem cells into hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing CD34; and (b) culturing the cells obtained in step (a) in the presence of hematopoietic factors comprising thrombopoietin (TPO) and Flt3 ligand.

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: The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into mesodermal cells, comprising the step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in a serum-free medium without forming an embryoid body and without coculturing with cells from a different species.

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: The present invention provides an immunodeficient mouse (NOG mouse) suitable for engraftment, differentiation and proliferation of heterologous cells, and a method of producing such a mouse. This mouse is obtained by backcrossing a C.B-17-scid mouse with an NOD/Shi mouse, and further backcrossing an interleukin 2-receptor ?-chain gene-knockout mouse with the thus backcrossed mouse. It is usable for producing a human antibody and establishing a stem cell assay system, a tumor model and a virus-infection model.