Some embodiments provide a microfluidic cartridge for automatically hydrodynamically loading objects (e.g., cell clusters) into traps in parallel trapping channels with one object per trap, methods of making such cartridges and methods of use of C such cartridges.

Provided herein are methods of differentiating stem cells via modulating miR-124, and the differentiated cells thereby. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of diseases using the differentiated cells.

SUSD2 protein is used as a marker in identification, selection or separation of pancreatic internal secretion precursor cells and/or newborn pancreatic internal secretion cells; and a use of an mRNA, for encoding the SUSD2 protein, of a precursor protein as the marker in identification of the pancreatic internal secretion precursor cells and/or the newborn pancreatic internal secretion cells. Analysis of gene expression of pancreatic endoderm cells sourced by induced directional differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells finds the enrichment expression of a SUSD2 gene in the pancreatic internal secretion precursor cells and the newborn pancreatic internal secretion cells. A protein encoded by the SUSD2 gene is a receptor protein on cell membranes. Using the protein as the marker, the identification, the selection or the separation of the pancreatic internal secretion precursor cells and the newborn pancreatic internal secretion cells can be conducted.

The present disclosure provides materials and methods for the delivery of therapeutic nucleic cells (and imaging agents) to tissues.

The present invention relates to methods of promoting growth of pancreatic islet cells, especially beta islet cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods of promoting growth of pancreatic islet cells by administration of HGF-MET agonists, such as MET agonist antibodies or fragments thereof. The invention further relates to HGF-MET agonists, such as MET agonist antibodies or fragments thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said agonists, for use in methods of the invention.

The invention provides, in part, methods for diagnosing a pancreatic -cell disorder, predicting a subject's risk of developing a pancreatic -cell disorder, monitoring pancreatic -cell function or pancreatic -cell mass in a subject at risk of developing a pancreatic -cell disorder, monitoring efficacy of a treatment of a pancreatic -cell disorder in a subject, identifying a subject having an increased risk of developing a pancreatic -cell disorder, selecting a subject for treatment of a pancreatic -cell disorder, selecting a subject for participation in a clinical study, and detecting endoplasmic reticulum stress in a pancreatic -cell. These methods include determining at least one level of soluble mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) in a biological sample from the subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing a soluble MANF protein and kits containing an antibody or an antigen-binding antibod fragment that binds specifically to a soluble MANF.

The present invention provides methods of identifying candidate compounds for the treatment of type I diabetes comprising contacting pancreatic cells with an amount of apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) effective to increase intracellular calcium concentration, in the presence of one or more test compounds, and identifying those test compounds that inhibit an apoCIII-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration in the pancreatic cells. The present invention also provides methods for treating patients with type I diabetes comprising administering to the patient an amount effective of an inhibitor of apoCIII to reduce apoCIII-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration in pancreatic cells.

The present invention relates to the use of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) for distinguishing mature cells from immature progenitor cells. The present invention further relates to a method for distinguishing a mature cell from an immature progenitor cell, the method comprising: determining the presence or absence of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) in a cell; wherein the presence of Fltp in the cell indicates that the cell is a mature cell and wherein the absence of Fltp in the cell indicates that the cell is an immature progenitor cell. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of identifying a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor cells into mature cells as well as to a method of identifying a compound suitable for preventing the de-differentiating of mature cells. The present invention additionally relates to a method of differentiating immature progenitor cells into mature cells as well as to a method of preventing de-differentiating of mature cells. In addition, the present invention also relates to a kit for distinguishing mature cells from immature progenitor cells and to a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating or preventing diabetes.

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of insulin resistance, a metabolic disorder, diabetes and pre-diabetes in a subject. The method comprises the step of determining the level of a compound represented by structural formula (VI):

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or a salt thereof. Compositions and method of making thereof are also described.

Methods, kits, compositions, and systems are provided for culturing pluripotent stem cells to produce populations of cells comprising beta-like cells (e.g., pancreatic lineage, glucose-responsive, and/or insulin-producing). In particular, culture conditions are provided that result in the generation of beta-like cells from a starting culture of human pluripotent stem cells.