Methods are provided for the production of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells. Additionally provided are compositions of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor cells, as well as methods for the therapeutic use thereof. Exemplary methods may produce substantially pure cultures of photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor cells.

The present invention relates to methods for making in vitro retinal cultures, tissue, or retinal organoids, from pluripotent cells as well as the improved synthetic retinal tissue and retinal organoids themselves. It also relates to retinal organoids that replicate in vitro many characteristics of the retina (e.g., human or mammalian), and methods of using this retinal organoid to study disease and to identify therapeutic agents for the treatment of retinal diseases and disorders.

The invention provides a method of producing a synthetic retina, comprising: i) providing a three dimensional stem cell culture throughout the differentiation time course, ii) differentiating the three dimensional stem cell culture for a first time period in a first neural cell culture medium comprising: a) L-glutamine; b) B27 supplement; and c) an IGF-1 receptor agonist, iii) subsequently differentiating the three dimensional stem cell culture for a second time period in a second neural cell culture medium comprising: a) L-glutamine; b) B27 supplement; c) N2 supplement; and d) an IGF-1 receptor agonist, wherein said synthetic retina contains laminated retinal tissue comprising.

This document relates to decellularized nerve allografts. For example, decellularized nerve allografts and methods and materials for using decellularized nerve allografts to repair nerve injuries or bridge a severed nerve are provided.

Methods for Generating Neural Crest-Like Cells and Nociceptor-Like Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells are Provided Along with the Related Compositions.

Compositions are described for direct protein delivery into multiple cell types in the mammalian inner ear. The compositions are used to deliver protein(s) (such as gene editing factors) editing of genetic mutations associated with deafness or associated disorders thereof. The delivery of genome editing proteins for gene editing and correction of genetic mutations protect or restore hearing from genetic deafness. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.

The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising, or consisting of, the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a nucleic acid sequence of at least 350 bp having at least 80% identity to said sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and related uses, wherein said isolated nucleic acid molecule specifically leads to the expression in retinal ganglion cells of a gene when operatively linked to a nucleic acid sequence coding for said gene.

Method and compositions for inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells comprised by a cochlear cell population, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells.

Compositions and provided to induce cells of the inner ear to renter the cell cycle and to proliferate. In particular, hair cells are induced to proliferate by administration of a composition which activates the Myc and Notch. Supporting cells are induced to transdifferentiate to hair cells by inhibition of Myc and Notch activity or the activation of Atoh1. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.

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