The disclosure features methods and compositions for differentiating stem cells into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) and/or Natural Killer (NK) cells. The methods and compositions described herein are used to differentiate stem or progenitor cells having at least one gene-edit that is maintained in the differentiated cell. Also provided are differentiated cells produced using the methods and compositions described herein for therapeutic applications.

The specification describes an improved serum-free animal cell culture medium, which can used for the production of a protein of interest. Ornithine, or a combination of ornithine and putrescine can be added to serum-free media or chemically defined media to improve viable cell density, to reduce cell doubling time, and to increase the production of a protein of interest.

In accordance with the present invention, CHO cells expressing a recombinant polypeptide of interest are grown in media where the amino acids, vitamins, phosphate, lipids and/or antioxidant optimization is utilized to manipulate and/or control the protein quality attributes of the polypeptides. Polypeptides expressed in accordance with the present invention may be advantageously used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.

The present invention relates to a method for providing a fermentation medium for the cultivation of at least one methanotrophic organism, or for the cultivation of a combination of organisms comprising at least one methanotrophic organism, the method comprises the step of: (i) providing a main growth solution; (ii) optionally sterilizing the main growth solution provided in step (i); (iii) providing a trace metal solution; and (iv) mixing the main growth solution (as provided in step (i) or (ii)) with the trace metal solution provided in step (iii) and providing the fermentation medium for the cultivation of at least one methanotrophic organism, or for the cultivation of a combination of organisms comprising at least one methanotrophic organism.

The present invention provides a process for controlling the production of ethanol by microbial fermentation of gaseous substrates. More specifically, a process is provided for controlling ethanol productivity through addition of vitamins and a low cell retention time. In accordance with the process, vitamins B1, B5 and B7 are added in amounts that increase specific ethanol productivity. Cell retention times are maintained at low levels.

Methods and composition for production of T cells are provided. Also provided are therapeutic methods using engineered T cells. For example, in certain aspects methods include preparing three dimensional cell culture compositions comprising stroma cells and hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells in a serum-free medium for producing T cells.

An oral biology model which comprises biofilm, oral epithelial tissue and a suspension of neutrophil-like cells in media is disclosed. The biofilm, which comprises oral bacteria, is produced by culturing oral bacteria on a solid substrate. The oral epithelial tissue may be gingival epithelial tissue to model the gingival crevice or buccal epithelial tissue to model the oral check. The suspension of neutrophil-like cells in media comprises neutrophil-like cells that are differentiated HL60 cells induced to a neutrophil-like phenotype by treatment with retinoic acid. Methods of using the oral biology model to test and compare compounds and formulations or to screen compounds and formulations for their effect on release of inflammatory signals, their effect on biofilm and oral bacteria and/or their effect on the cellular components are disclosed.

The specification describes an improved serum-free animal cell culture medium, which can used for the production of a protein of interest. Ornithine, or a combination of ornithine and putrescine can be added to serum-free media or chemically defined media to improve viable cell density, to reduce cell doubling time, and to increase the production of a protein of interest.

Methods and composition for production of T cells are provided. Also provided are therapeutic methods using engineered T cells. For example, in certain aspects methods include preparing three dimensional cell culture compositions comprising stroma cells and hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells in a serum-free medium for producing T cells.

The present invention relates generally to the field of generating fusion proteins to be used in cancer therapy, and more specifically, to nucleotide sequences encoding the fusion proteins, wherein the chimeric fusion proteins comprises at least one targeting moiety and at least one immunomodulatory moiety that counteracts the immune tolerance of cancer cells.