Provided herein are methods and compositions for differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells into primordial germ cell-like cells by overexpressing transcription factors such as DLX5, HHEX, and/or FIGLA.

Described herein are compositions, systems, and methods for obtaining primordial germ cells (PGCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Inhibiting or bypassing tight junction formation in a population of pluripotent stem cells to generate a modified cell population, and contacting the modified cell population with BMP. Where inhibiting or bypassing tight junction formation includes incubating the population of pluripotent stem cells.

This disclosure relates to a method of somatic cell nuclear reprogramming to alter the cell type comprising preparing a GV extract, permeabilising somatic cells, incubating the somatic cells with the GV extract to alter the cell type, and rescaling somatic cell membranes, wherein said GV extract does not comprise oocyte cytoplasm. The disclosure also relates to a GV extract comprising reprogramming factors.

Provided is a method for obtaining the germ cell lineage of an oviparous vertebrate more efficiently than conventional techniques. A host oviparous vertebrate is prepared at a developmental stage after the development of black pigmentary cells in the retina and before the formation of multiple layers of germ cells in the genitals, and isolated undifferentiated germ cells from a donor oviparous vertebrate are transplanted into the host oviparous vertebrate.

A culture of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is disclosed. In the culture, more than 50% of the hPSCs are formative hPSCs and are capable of renewing. Uses thereof are also disclosed.

A culture of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is disclosed. In the culture, more than 50% of the hPSCs are formative hPSCs and are capable of renewing. Uses thereof are also disclosed.

Provided is an isolated human naive pluripotent stem cell (PSC), wherein: (i) when the naive PSC is a female PSC, then said naive female PSC has two unmethylated alleles of an X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) gene; and (ii) when said naive PSC is a male PSC, then said naive male PSC has an unmethylated allele of said XIST gene. Also provided is a culture medium which comprises an ERK1/2 inhibitor, a GSK3beta inhibitor, a p38 inhibitor, a JNK inhibitor, a STAT3 activator and at least one agent selected from the group consisting of: bFGF, TGFbeta 1, a PKC inhibitor, a ROCK inhibitor and a NOTCH inhibitor; or at least agent selected from the group consisting of: a TGFR inhibitor, a FGFR inhibitor, a PKC inhibitor, a ROCK inhibitor and a NOTCH inhibitor.

A method for inducing immature oocytes includes introducing four genes consisting of FIGLA, NOBOX, LHX8 and TBPL2, or transcripts or expressed proteins thereof, into at least one type of cell selected from the group consisting of pluripotent stem cells, epiblast-like cells and primordial germ cells. A method for producing mature oocytes includes introducing four genes consisting of FIGLA, NOBOX, LHX8 and TBPL2, or transcripts or expressed proteins thereof, into at least one type of cell selected from the group consisting of pluripotent stem cells, epiblast-like cells and primordial germ cells, and co-culturing the cell obtained after the introduction and ovarian somatic cells.

The present disclosure provides exogenous polynucleotide cassettes for generating chimeric bird cells and chimeric birds. The polynucleotide cassettes can be used to produce conditionally-lethal phenotype in male bird embryos. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides methods for destroying male chick embryos in-ovo.

Provided is an isolated human naive pluripotent stem cell (PSC), wherein: (i) when the naive PSC is a female PSC, then said naive female PSC has two unmethylated alleles of an X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) gene; and (ii) when said naive PSC is a male PSC, then said naive male PSC has an unmethylated allele of said XIST gene. Also provided is a culture medium which comprises an ERK1/2 inhibitor, a GSK3beta inhibitor, a p38 inhibitor, a JNK inhibitor, a STAT3 activator and at least one agent selected from the group consisting of: bFGF, TGFbeta 1, a PKC inhibitor, a ROCK inhibitor and a NOTCH inhibitor; or at least agent selected from the group consisting of: a TGFR inhibitor, a FGFR inhibitor, a PKC inhibitor, a ROCK inhibitor and a NOTCH inhibitor.