The present disclosure relates to a neural cell population, a neural cell-containing preparation, and a method for producing the population and preparation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a neural cell population derived from intraoral mesenchymal cells, wherein a proportion of normal diploid cells is 80% or more, a preparation containing the neural cell population, and a method for producing the population and the preparation.

Compositions, kits, and methods for preparing nutrient compositions are provided. A nutrient composition can be a food composition such as a dairy composition. A nutrient composition may be produced by an engineered cell composition. Compositions, kits, and methods for preparing engineered cell compositions for producing nutrient compositions are also provided. An engineered cell composition may comprise genetically engineered cells, such as genetically engineered mammary or mammary-like cells. An engineered cell composition can be derived from mammalian stem cells, such as non-mammary adult stem cells. Related methods of characterization, such as for characterizing the engineered cell compositions or the nutrient compositions, are also provided.

Methods are provided for the simple, fast, effective and safe directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells into the mature beta cells of enriched beta clusters, wherein the beta cells rapidly and reliably secrete insulin in response to glucose levels. The cells are useful transplant therapeutics for diabetic individuals. These cells can also be used for drug screening purposes to identify factors/chemicals capable of increasing beta cell functions, proliferation, survival, and resistance to immune assault.

The invention relates to a method for inducing human cholangiocyte differentiation of progenitor cells called hepatoblasts. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for differentiating hepatoblasts to cholangiocytes by culturing said hepatoblasts with a particular medium having interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity. The differentiation method can specifically induce cholangiocyte dilferentiation from hepatoblasts, and the human cholangiocytes differentiated according to the invention may be useful for drug discovery for treatment of cholangiopathies and bioengineered livers.

Provided are methods, compositions and kits for generating beta cells from pluripotent stem cells under growth-factor free, defined culture conditions. The beta cells can be generated under conditions that are free of animal products. The generated beta cells secrete insulin, not glucagon, and the amount of insulin secreted is dependent upon the level of glucose stimulus.

Methods of developing and using cell lines, such as stem cell lines, for therapeutic or cosmetic use. In one embodiment, the cell lines are used to treat a wide range of degenerative and metabolic disorders including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac deficiency. Also described are methods of using such cell lines to screen for compounds that play a role in regulating a variety of processes.

This disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing heart malformations or cardiovascular diseases comprising administering an effective amount of thyroid hormone in combination with i) an agent that decreases DUSPS and/or DUSP6 expression and/or ii) a beta-adrenergic blocking agent to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to in vivo and in vitro methods of inducing proliferation of cardiomyocytes using agents or combinations of agents disclosed herein.

Methods of developing and using cell lines, such as stem cell lines, for therapeutic or cosmetic use. In one embodiment, the cell lines are used to treat a wide range of degenerative and metabolic disorders including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac deficiency. Also described are methods of using such cell lines to screen for compounds that play a role in regulating a variety of processes.

The invention relates to a method for inducing human cholangiocyte differentiation of progenitor cells called hepatoblasts. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for differentiating hepatoblasts to cholangiocytes by culturing said hepatoblasts with a particular medium having interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity. The differentiation method can specifically induce cholangiocyte differentiation from hepatoblasts, and the human cholangiocytes differentiated according to the invention may be useful for drug discovery for treatment of cholangiopathies and bioengineered livers.

The present application provides an in-vitro committed differentiation method for inducing human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into Leydig cells (LCs) by neural crest stem cells (NCSCs). The hiPS-derived LCs is verified by an animal model to have the capacity of regenerating senile or injured LCs, so that a new treatment for supplementing testosterone is provided for patients suffering from hypogonadism, particularly for patients suffering from late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).