Disclosed are compositions comprising cellular constructs comprising mesenchymal cells and epithelial cells. Also disclosed are methods of making the cellular constructs, methods of hair restoration, and kits. The invention also discloses parallel bio-printing systems and methods for making cellular constructs, such as cellular constructs comprising mesenchymal cells and epithelial cells.

Disclosed in the present specification are a method for preparing senescent melanocytes, senescent cells prepared by the preparation method and a method for screening a senescence-alleviating or skin whitening material by using the senescent cells. The cells can be used for studying a cell senescence phenomenon and a pigmentation mechanism, which are caused by the accumulation of UV ray stimulation. Particularly, the cells are useful since a material having both senescence-alleviating and skin whitening effects can be screened.

Compositions and methods for generating melanocytes through direct reprogramming are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of use of such compositions for the treatment of vitiligo and other hypopigmentation disorders. In accordance with the present invention, a method for producing melanocytes suitable for use in human patients is provided. An exemplary method comprises providing cells capable of transdifferentiation into melanocytes, culturing said cells in a chemically defined culture medium, introducing at least two of microphthalmia-associated transcriptiokn factor (MITF), SRY-related HMG-box (SOX10) transcription factor and paired box-3 (PAX-3) transcription factor and paired box-3 (PAX-3) transcription factor, or nucleic acids encoding said transcription factors into said cells, wherein expression of said factors induces the cells to transdifferentiae into melanocytes expressing melanocyte markers TYR, DCT, S-100 and Melan-A.

The invention concerns a gallinacean embryo in which cancer cells have been grafted within the embryo tissue, characterised in that the embryo is at a developmental stage between the HH10 and HH25 stages at the time of the grafting, wherein said cancer cells are not neuroblastoma cells and said cells form tumors inside the embryo.

Provided is a three-dimensional culture (10) of immortalized skin cells (2), comprising a plate-like substrate (1) and a culture layered product of immortalized skin cells adhering to the surface of the plate-like substrate, in which the superficial layer (3) of the culture layered product is composed of a stratum corneum. The three-dimensional culture can be produced as follows: immortalized skin cells are seeded on a top surface of a culture medium-impregnated plate-like substrate, and three-dimensional culture is performed while applying stress on a superficial layer of an immortalized skin cell layer formed by layering of the immortalized skin cells. The three-dimensional culture can be used to evaluate the sensitization of a test substance.

The present disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods for promoting in vitro maturation of cells. The present disclosure also provides methods of screening compounds that are suitable for promoting in vitro maturation of cells.

The present disclosure relates to methods for generating sacral neural crest lineage cells and enteric neurons. Also provided are sacral neural crest lineage cells and enteric neurons generated by the presently disclosed methods and compositions comprising such cells. The present disclosure further provides uses of the sacral neural crest lineage cells and enteric neurons for preventing, modeling, and/or treating of enteric nervous system disorders.

The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC), human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, cancer stem cells, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC to nociceptors (i.e. nociceptor cells) using novel culture conditions. The nociceptors made using the methods of the present invention are further contemplated for various uses including, but limited to, use in in vitro drug discovery assays, pain research, and as a therapeutic to reverse disease of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Further, compositions and methods are provided for producing melanocytes from human pluripotent stem cells for use in disease modeling.

The present invention relates to the use of warmers, or autonomous heat packs, for heating and maintaining a solution at a suitable temperature, for the period of time required to accomplish a chemical, biochemical or biological reaction, in particular in molecular biology or cell biology applications. Biology kits containing warmers are also part of this invention.

Epidermis equivalents capable of pigmentation include cells derived from the differentiation of matrix cells; reconstructed skins comprised thereof, optionally containing hair follicles, are useful for evaluating the effect of topical cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermatological products and may also be used for the preparation of grafts suited to be transplanted on mammals, more particularly on human patients such as victims of third-degree burns.