The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the linage 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 provides a method for producing parasympathetic neurons from neural crest cells or autonomic neural progenitor cells derived therefrom, comprising a step of culturing the neural crest cells or autonomic neural progenitor cells derived therefrom in the presence of a cAMP production promoter, a BDNF signaling pathway activator, a GDNF signaling pathway activator, an NGF signaling pathway activator, an NT-3 signaling pathway activator, vitamin C, a protein kinase C activator, and a retinoic acid receptor agonist.

This invention relates to an in vitro system for the culture of cerebellar granule cell precursors (granule cell progenitors, GCP) comprising a culture support, mammalian GCP cells and a culture medium comprising at least SAG (Smoothened agonist) and EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), and a method for the in vitro culture of GCP cells, use of the above-mentioned culture system or method of culture for the generation of in vitro models for study of the pathophysiology of cerebellar granules or use of the above-mentioned culture system or method of culture for use in gene therapy and cell therapy approaches to cerebellar diseases caused by damage or neurodegeneration.

The present disclosure provides methods for generating midbrain dopamine neurons (mDAs) and precursors thereof, mDAs and precursors thereof generated by such methods and compositions comprising such cells, and uses thereof for preventing and/or treating neurological disorders. The present disclosure further provides methods of isolating mDAs and precursors thereof from a cell population using novel surface markers.

Aspects of the application relate to methods and compositions for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids to neural cells or tissue in a subject. Additional aspects of the application relate to therapeutic nucleic acids, for example therapeutic ribozymes, that are useful for inhibiting viral reactivation in a subject.

Human pluripotent stem cells are differentiated in vitro into forebrain subdomain structures, which are then fused to generate an integrated system for use in analysis, screening programs, and the like.

Microfluidic devices with neuronal cells, muscle cells, and optionally other cell types co-cultured therein are provided. Typically one or more the cells has a mutation that contributes to or causes a neuronal or muscular disease or disorder. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the cultured cells are derived from a subject with a neuronal or muscular disease or disorder. The microfluidic device can facilitate formation of a 3D motor unit and a neuromuscular junction in vitro, and be used to monitor the molecular, biochemical, cellular, and morphological differences in the formation of such structures by healthy and diseased cells, and for testing compounds, dosages of compounds, dosing regimes, and combinations thereof, that may improve or worsen their formation. An exemplary combination drug therapy identified in this way is also provided.

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 provides an artificial tissue culture comprising a heterogeneous population of cells of at least two different tissue sections, wherein said tissue sections are in a three dimensional structure, method of generating such a tissue and kits suitable for said method or maintain a three dimensional tissue culture.

This present invention provides a method for continuously maintaining growth of a motor neuron progenitor cell and a pharmaceutical composition. Wherein, the method for continuously maintaining growth of a motor neuron progenitor cell is to culture the motor neuron progenitor cell in an environment which is constructed by the olfactory ensheathing cells to make the motor neuron progenitor cell sustain the ability to self-replicate and to be induced for differentiating into mature neuron, and therefore to elaborate the effect to protect the motor neuron. The motor neuron progenitor cell produced from the method disclosed in this present invention can be an effective ingredient of the pharmaceutical composition for treating related diseases of damaged motor neuron.