The invention relates to a biohybrid for the use thereof in the regeneration of neural tracts, comprising an implantable tubular hybrid structure which is degradable and biocompatible and characterized in that it comprises three layers of different porosity: an inner layer a), an intermediate layer b) and an outer layer c), with uninterrupted connection among them, the three layers consisting of the same porous hydrogel based on cross-linked hyaluronic acid, a biohybrid comprising the hybrid tubular structure described, which can contain a fibrous material, preferably poly-L-lactic acid, to a method for producing said tubular hybrid structure and said biohybrid, and to the use of same for regenerating neural tracts in diseases that affect the central nervous system, preferably Parkinson's disease.

The invention provides a method for producing a ciliary marginal zone stem cell induced to differentiate from a pluripotent stem cell, including either the following step (1) or step (2), or both of these steps: (1) a step of floating culturing cells obtained from a cell aggregate containing a ciliary marginal zone-like structure induced to differentiate from pluripotent stem cells, thereby obtaining a retinosphere; and (2) a step of collecting stage specific embryonic antigen-1 positive cells from cells obtained from a cell aggregate containing a ciliary marginal zone-like structure induced to differentiate from pluripotent stem cells.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides hydrogel precursor compositions (e.g., solutions) for forming three-dimensional hydrogels that support growth of physiologically relevant tissue when at least one cell is cultured in the three-dimensional hydrogel, kits comprising the hydrogel precursor composition, three-dimensional hydrogels, methods of forming the three-dimensional hydrogels, methods of growing the physiologically relevant tissue using the three-dimensional hydrogels, physiologically relevant tissue grown in the three-dimensional hydrogels, methods of producing hormone-responsive tissue (e.g., milk-producing mammary tissue and related methods of producing milk), methods of screening for candidate agents useful for modulating hormonal responses (e.g., modulating milk production), method of screening for candidate therapeutic agents using the physiologically relevant tissue grown in the three-dimensional hydrogels (e.g., personalized cancer treatments), and related methods of treatment (e.g., administering agents identified using the methods herein, transplanting physiologically relevant tissue produced using the methods, etc.).

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a method for obtaining Schwann cells directly (by direct reprogramming) without passing through pluripotent stem cells, such as ES cells or iPS cells. As a means for solving this problem, the present invention provides a method for preparing Schwann cells that includes a step of introducing into somatic cells of a mammal at least one gene selected from the group consisting of SOX10 genes and KROX20 genes, or an expression product thereof.

A matrix for neuron regeneration. The matrix can include a sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a plurality of integrally formed ridges. The sheet can have a spiral shape, such that the first surface of the sheet faces the second surface of the sheet. The sheet and the integrally formed ridges can comprise oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate).

This invention is directed to structural units and bioscaffolds that comprise the same for in vivo use.

The present invention provides tissue scaffolds, methods of generating such scaffolds, and methods of use of such scaffolds to generate aligned and functional neural tissues for use in methods including regenerative medicine, wound repair and transplantation.

The method disclosed herein is for evaluating the quality of a transplant neural retina by sampling a part or the whole of a cell aggregate containing a neural retina having an epithelial structure derived from a pluripotent stem cell as a sample for quality evaluation.

The present invention features a neural organoid that recapitulates in vitro most characteristics of the brain (e.g., human), and methods of using this neural organoid to study disease and to identify therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders.

The invention provides a method of producing a population of human Schwann cells. The method comprises (a) incubating human fascicles with one or more mitogens for a priming period of three to fourteen days to produce primed fascicles, (b) incubating the primed fascicles with one or more tissue dissociation enzymes to produce primed Schwann cells, (c) culturing the primed Schwann cells at an initial Po density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence, (d) expanding the population of Schwann cells by culturing the Schwann cells at an initial passage density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence for at least two passages, and harvesting the population of human Schwann cells. The invention further provides an isolated population of Schwann cells obtained by the method described herein. In various aspects of the invention, the isolated population is provided in a composition.