Use of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (CDP) in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of female germline stem cells (FGSCs) is provided. Specifically, the addition of CDP in an in vitro cultivation system can promote the proliferation and differentiation of FGSCs, and especially can enhance the in vitro directed differentiation of FGSCs into oocytes, which provides a new research reference for studying the generation of oocytes in vivo and in vitro and also brings a new hope for research on physiological infertility.

Cell culture media, preservative media or cryopreservation media include a low dose of one or more cytokines, e.g. interleukin-2 (IL-2).

The present invention relates to an AG-haESCs in which H19 DMR and IG-DMR are knocked out, a method for preparing the AG-haESCs, and use of the AG-haESCs in constructing a genetically modified semi-cloned animal and a library of a genetically modified semi-cloned animal. The AG-haESCs is capable of obtaining characteristics resembling a round spermatid, and upon injection into an oocyte, a viable SC mouse is stably obtained. The present invention is capable of being effectively used in multi-gene genetic manipulation, advancing the acquisition of animals with multiple genetic modifications.

A culture medium is provided for establishing expanded potential stem cell (EPSC) lines for mammals. Methods are provided using the medium for the in vitro conversion and maintenance of cells, including pluripotent cells into EPSCs.

Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions and methods for generating a population of PGCs with improved efficiencies and line-to-line consistency. Inductive signals are temporally dynamic: WNT activation for 12 hours incipiently differentiates primed hPSCs into posterior epiblast, while subsequently, sharp WNT inhibition together with BMP activation specifies PGCs. hPSC-derived PGCs can be easily purified by virtue of their CXCR4.sup.+PDGFRα.sup.-GARP-surface-marker profile.

A culture medium comprising a WNT inhibitor, a SRC inhibitor and a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor is disclosed. The medium is devoid of an amount of GSK3beta inhibitor that increases beta-catenin translocation to the nucleus of a pluripotent stem cell being cultured in the culture medium. Uses thereof are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device for simulating a blood-brain barrier and a blood-brain barrier simulation system including the same, and the microfluidic device includes: a first channel; a second channel which is adjacently connected to the first channel through one or more microholes and configured to culture neural stem cells; and a chamber which is connected to both ends of the first channel and contains a culture medium.

This invention provides an isolated disc stem cell population, compositions, and methods of obtaining and growing the same. Moreover, this invention provides an isolated discosphere, compositions, and methods of obtaining and growing the same. An artificial disc containing the cells of the present invention is provided together with methods of making the same. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject having a herniated disc utilizing the cells and methods of the invention.

A problem of this invention it to provide a method for differentiate a primordial germ cell into a functional GV stage oocyte by in vitro culture. This invention relates to a method for differentiating a primordial germ cell into a functional GV stage oocyte by in vitro culture, comprising: (a) a step of producing a secondary follicle by culturing the primordial germ cell and supporting cells adjacent to the primordial germ cells under conditions that eliminate the effects of estrogen or a factor having a similar function to estrogen; (b) a step of partially dissociating cells between a granulosa cell layer and a thecal cell layer, wherein an oocyte, the granulosa cell layer, and the thecal cell layer constitute the produced secondary follicle; and (c) a step of differentiating the oocyte into a functional GV stage oocyte by culturing the oocyte, the granulosa cell layer, and the thecal cell layer that constitute the secondary follicle in a medium containing a high-molecular-weight compound.

The present invention provides a novel oocyte maturation medium or/and embryo culture medium with a chemically defined supplement to produce matured oocytes at high efficiency. The inventive medium or supplement comprises three growth factors, namely, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in a synergistic combination. Methods for oocyte and embryo culture are also provided.