Provided are ex vivo and in vivo methods utilizing therapeutic genes for treatment of male and female infertility, including non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and comorbid diseases, with or without transmitting the therapeutic gene to offspring of the infertile subject. Germline gene therapy methods are also described to reduce or eliminate disease from families with or without transmission of the therapeutic gene to offspring.

The present invention relates to a method for differentiating hair follicle cells into germline stem cells, germline stem cells differentiated by the method, and use of the same germline stem cells. A method of differentiating hair follicle cells into germline stem cells according to the present invention can differentiate hair follicle cells into germline stem cells using culture conditions only, without genetic modification. Capable of inducing differentiation of cells of specific individual types, such as hair follicle cells, into cells of different types such as germline cells, the present invention is therefore expected to be usefully used for the understanding of reproductive biology and the clinical application thereof.

The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

The invention provides a method for inducing human primordial germ cell-like (PGC-like) cells from human pluripotent stem cells, with high efficiency and high reproducibility, and a cell surface marker for identifying human PGC-like cells. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing a human PGC-like cell from a human pluripotent stem cell, includes a step of producing a mesoderm-like cell by culturing a human pluripotent stem cell in a culture medium comprising activin A and a GSK3 inhibitor, and a step of culturing the mesoderm-like cell in a culture medium containing BMP. The invention also provides a method for producing an isolated human PGC-like cell, which includes the aforementioned two steps and the additional step of selecting a cell positive to at least one cell surface marker selected from the group consisting of PECAM (CD31), INTEGRIN6 (CD49f), INTEGRIN3 (CD61), KIT (CD117), EpCAM, PODOPLANIN and TRA1-81.

Reserves of immortalized genetic material are stored in a bank for providing a resource (e.g., artificial gametes) for couples (e.g., same sex couples) to produce biologically-related children. The reserves provide the ability to derive sperm from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of one partner and/or eggs from iPSCs of the other partner. For example, a biological sample is stored as iPSCs that can be used to generate an unlimited supply of genetic material (e.g., artificial gametes for conception) when needed by a user (e.g., a year or more after the sample is provided, e.g., 5 years or more after the sample is provided). Such a bank is helpful for an individual in a same sex (or infertile) couple who desires to have biological children at some point during his/her lifetime, but does not plan to have children in the immediate timeframe, for example.

Provided are ex vivo and in vivo methods utilizing therapeutic genes for treatment of male and female infertility, including non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and comorbid diseases, with or without transmitting the therapeutic gene to offspring of the infertile subject. Germline gene therapy methods are also described to reduce or eliminate disease from families with or without transmission of the therapeutic gene to offspring.

The present disclosure relates to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) editing agents, and their use in preparing DNA-edited cells and birds. The present disclosure further relates to gene-edited or genetically modified avians and gene-edited or genetically modified avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) for producing gene-edited or genetically modified avians (birds) that can serve as surrogate hosts for donor PGCs. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing avian strains that can produce viable embryos and offspring, in both sexes, and for their subsequent use as surrogate hosts for donor PGCs.

The present invention provides bone marrow derived germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.

The application describes the use of peripheral blood derived germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.

Oogonial stem cell (OSC)-derived compositions, such as nuclear free cytoplasm or isolated mitochondria, and uses of OSC-derived compositions in autologous fertility-enhancing procedures are described.