Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of kinase inhibitors include Src, Syk, Abl, Tie, Flt, ErbB, Trk, PRKDC, and Yes families to repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of kinase inhibitors include Src, Syk, Abl, Tie, Flt, ErbB, Trk, PRKDC, and Yes families to repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of kinase inhibitors include Src, Syk, Abl, Tie, Flt, ErbB, Trk, PRKDC, and Yes families to repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases or disorders. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of methyltransferase inhibitors to inhibit or repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed herein are methods and cell-based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases or disorders. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of methyltransferase inhibitors to inhibit or repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed herein are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of kinase inhibitors include Src, Syk, Abl, Tie, Flt, ErbB, Trk, PRKDC, and Yes families to repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases or disorders. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of methyltransferase inhibitors to inhibit or repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed herein are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing cells expressing CD56/Pax3, CD56Pax7, and/or Pax3/Pax7 are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a pluripotent stem cell in an in vitro culture with one compound, or with two or more compounds at the same time, wherein the contacting the pluripotent stem cell in the in vitro culture with one compound, or with two or more compounds at the same time, directly results in generation of cells expressing CD56/Pax3, CD56/Pax7, or Pax3/Pax7. Also provided are methods of using the generated cells. Typically one of the compounds is a wnt pathway activator, such as the GSK3 inhibitor CHIR99021.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell passaging medium comprising at least one agent capable of detaching from a surface a cell that is culture in vitro on said surface, and a water-soluble polymer capable of protecting the detached cell. The present invention also provides a cell culturing medium comprising one or more cell culture protectants capable of protecting cells in culture. The present invention further relates to the use of said media in methods for culturing cells in vitro or for deriving monolayer cell cultures of mammalian stem cells.