The present invention relates to an AG-haESCs in which H19 DMR and IG-DMR are knocked out, a method for preparing the AG-haESCs, and use of the AG-haESCs in constructing a genetically modified semi-cloned animal and a library of a genetically modified semi-cloned animal. The AG-haESCs is capable of obtaining characteristics resembling a round spermatid, and upon injection into an oocyte, a viable SC mouse is stably obtained. The present invention is capable of being effectively used in multi-gene genetic manipulation, advancing the acquisition of animals with multiple genetic modifications.

The present invention relates to female germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.

The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.

Provided are a method for preparing a mammalian ovum or embryo in which zona pellucida has been thinned or eliminated, and a method for fertilization using the mammalian ovum prepared by the aforementioned method. The resulting mammalian ovum or embryo is capable of realizing an improved fertilization rate and development rate when used for in vitro fertilization, transplantation of a fertilized ovum, or for preparation of an embryo in the early stages of development used in the production of a genetically modified animal.

The present invention relates to female germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.

The present invention provides a mouse with liver damage, having a high degree of damage against the mouse's original hepatocytes while having a uPA gene in a heterozygous form, and a method for efficiently preparing the mouse. Specifically, the method for preparing a mouse with liver damage having the uPA gene in a heterozygous form comprises the following steps of: (i) transforming mouse ES cells with a DNA fragment containing a liver-specific promoter/enhancer and cDNA that encodes a urokinase-type plasminogen activator operably linked under the control thereof; (ii) injecting the transformed mouse ES cells obtained in step (i) into a host embryo; (iii) transplanting the host embryo obtained in step (ii) via the injection of the ES cells into the uterus of a surrogate mother mouse, so as to obtain a chimeric mouse; and (iv) crossing the chimeric mice obtained in step (iii), so as to obtain a transgenic mouse in which the DNA fragment is introduced in a heterozygous form.

The disclosure relates to a method of reprogramming one or more somatic cells, e.g., partially differentiated or fully/terminally differentiated somatic cells, to a less differentiated state, e.g., a pluripotent or multipotent state. In further embodiments the invention also relates to reprogrammed somatic cells produced by methods of the invention, to uses of said cells, and to methods for identifying agents useful for reprogramming somatic cells.

The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.

The disclosure relates to a method of reprogramming one or more somatic cells, e.g., partially differentiated or fully/terminally differentiated somatic cells, to a less differentiated state, e.g., a pluripotent or multipotent state. In further embodiments the invention also relates to reprogrammed somatic cells produced by methods of the invention, to uses of said cells, and to methods for identifying agents useful for reprogramming somatic cells.

The present invention provides methods and compostions to improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). There is increasing evidence that the epigenetic state of donor nuclei has a significant impact on potential of nuclear transfer embryos to develop into blastocysts, from which pluripotent stem cells are derived. Strategic application of histone agents, capable of altering epigenetic state such as methylation, allows zygotic activation and robust blastocyst generation.