The present invention provides a method for producing retinal cells or a retinal tissue, comprising the following steps (1)-(3): (1) a first step of culturing human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of feeder cells and in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining undifferentiated state, (2) a second step of culturing the pluripotent stem cells obtained in the first step in suspension in the presence of a Sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathway activating substance to form a cell aggregate, and (3) a third step of culturing the aggregate obtained in the second step in suspension in the presence of a 1) a BMP signal transduction pathway activating substance to obtain an aggregate containing retinal cells or a retinal tissue.

The present invention provides a method for producing retinal cells or a retinal tissue, comprising the following steps (1)-(3): (1) a first step of culturing human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of feeder cells and in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining undifferentiated state, (2) a second step of culturing the pluripotent stem cells obtained in the first step in suspension in the presence of a Sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathway activating substance to form a cell aggregate, and (3) a third step of culturing the aggregate obtained in the second step in suspension in the presence of a 1) a BMP signal transduction pathway activating substance to obtain an aggregate containing retinal cells or a retinal tissue.

Particulate biomaterial containing particles having geodesic shapes for filling or replacement of bone tissue, and a method of making the particulate biomaterial containing particles having geodesic shapes for filling or replacement of bone tissue, made by rapid prototyping technique (RP), wherein said particles have non-prismatic, semi-spherical geodesic forms.

An object of the invention is to provide a cartilage regenerative material that suppresses infiltration of fibrous soft tissue and brings about satisfactory cartilage regeneration, and a method for producing the cartilage regenerative material. Provided is a cartilage regenerative material including a porous body of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible polymer film, in which the porous body contains chondrocytes and cartilage matrix, and the cartilage matrix exists in a region of 10% or more of a region extending from the surface of the transplant face of the porous body to a depth of 150 μm along the thickness.

An object of the invention is to provide a cartilage regenerative material that suppresses infiltration of fibrous soft tissue and brings about satisfactory cartilage regeneration, and a method for producing the cartilage regenerative material. Provided is a cartilage regenerative material including a porous body of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible polymer film, in which the porous body contains chondrocytes and cartilage matrix, and the cartilage matrix exists in a region of 10% or more of a region extending from the surface of the transplant face of the porous body to a depth of 150 μm along the thickness.

The invention provides a method for producing a retinal pigment epithelial cell by (1) maintaining and/or expanding human pluripotent stem cells comprising culturing the human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of a feeder cell in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining an undifferentiated state, (2) a first step for culturing the maintained and/or expanded human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a MEK inhibitor in the absence of feeder cells for a period of not less than 2 days and not more than 30 days, wherein the culture condition in the first step is a condition sufficient for inducing gene expression of at least one eye field transcription factor, and (3) a second step for culturing the cells obtained in the first step in the presence of a Nodal signal transduction pathway inhibitor and/or a Wnt signal transduction pathway inhibitor to form a retinal pigment epithelial cell.

The invention provides a method for producing a retinal pigment epithelial cell by (1) maintaining and/or expanding human pluripotent stem cells comprising culturing the human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of a feeder cell in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining an undifferentiated state, (2) a first step for culturing the maintained and/or expanded human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a MEK inhibitor in the absence of feeder cells for a period of not less than 2 days and not more than 30 days, wherein the culture condition in the first step is a condition sufficient for inducing gene expression of at least one eye field transcription factor, and (3) a second step for culturing the cells obtained in the first step in the presence of a Nodal signal transduction pathway inhibitor and/or a Wnt signal transduction pathway inhibitor to form a retinal pigment epithelial cell.

Provided are injectable, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel compositions including conjugated vitamins.

Provided are injectable, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel compositions including conjugated vitamins.

A composite implant device for use in a medical application, comprising a synthetically-derived mesh that mimics particular critical aspects of a biologically-derived mesh. The composite implant device can be used for the reinforcement and reconstruction of tissues within the body and can be comprised of a majority of synthetic components and minority of naturally-derived components which mimic the structure and function of a naturally-derived mesh.