Cells derived from postpartum tissue and methods for their isolation and induction to differentiate to cells of a chondrogenic or osteogenic phenotype are provided by the invention. The invention further provides cultures and compositions of the postpartum-derived cells and products such as lysates related thereto. The postpartum-derived cells of the invention and products related thereto have a plethora of uses, including but not limited to research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications, for example, in the treatment of bone and cartilage conditions such as osteoarthritis.

The present invention relates to organoids derived from a single cell, such as a prostate cancer cell, and methods and compositions relating to the production and use thereof, including cell culture medium for producing organoids and methods of personalized treatment for prostate cancer. The invention further provides a humanized mouse comprising a prostate organoid derived from a patient's prostate cell.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.

Described herein are cells, cell culture methods, and cell culture media compositions useful for producing and maintaining iPSC-derided cell lines that are of higher purity and maintain cell type integrity better than current iPSC-derived cell lines. Also disclosed are methods of using the described cells and media, such as therapeutic methods of use for the described cells. The described cells include iPSC-derived mesodermal precursor cells (MPC), which itself may differentiate into at least four different cell types. When cultured under appropriate conditions, the mesodermal precursor cells can be used to produce hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), smooth muscle cells (SMC), or unlimited functional endothelial cells (UFEC). One characteristic that makes the described cells desirable is that they can be maintained in culture for a number of days, or passages, without changing phenotype through differentiation.

Genetically modified cells that are compatible with multiple subjects, e.g., universal donor cells, and methods of generating the genetically modified cells are provided herein. The universal donor cells comprise at least one genetic modification within or near at least one gene that encodes one or more MHC-I or MHC-II human leukocyte antigens or component or transcriptional regulator of the MHC-I or MHC-II complex, at least one genetic modification that increases the expression of at least one polynucleotide that encodes a tolerogenic factor, and optionally at least one genetic modification that increases or decreases the expression of at least one gene that encodes a survival factor.

A composition of matter comprises one or more cell lines configured to inducibly differentiate to at least a first stage of differentiation and a second, subsequent stage of differentiation. Each of the one or more cell lines are genetically edited to express one or more first stage inserted secretable reporter genes placed under control of promoters for genes canonically expressed during the first stage of differentiation. The cell lines are further genetically edited to express one or more second stage inserted secretable reporter genes placed under control of promoters for genes canonically expressed during the second stage of differentiation, but not during the first stage of differentiation, wherein the one or more second stage inserted secretable reporter genes are different than the one or more first stage inserted secretable reporter genes.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of human stem cells into cortical neurons, and cortical neurons generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such cortical neurons for treating neurodegenerative CNS disorders.

Provided is a new use of a TGF-β small molecule inhibitor in the field of neuroregeneration, which can be used for the in vitro regeneration and directed differentiation of various nerve cells and brain-like organs. By adding same to a set of basal media having clear chemical compositions. pluripotent stem cells can be induced into adult cells derived from a variety of neural stem cells, and the number of induced nerve cells and the size of organoids can be greatly increased. The induction system provided in the present invention expands new functions of a single small molecule in the field of ectodermal cell induction and differentiation and at the same time avoids the use of B27 and other serum substitutes, thereby completely avoiding the potential risks caused by the presence of animal-derived components in cell culture processes, and greatly expanding the clinical prospects of a variety of nerve cell transplantations.

Genetically modified cells that are compatible with multiple subjects, e.g., universal donor cells, and methods of generating said genetic modified cells are provided herein. The universal donor cells comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes one or more MHC-I or MHC-II human leukocyte antigens or a component or a transcriptional regulator of a MHC-I or MHC-II complex, wherein genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a tolerogenic factor and/or survival factor. The universal donor cells may further comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes a survival factor, wherein said genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a second tolerogenic factor and/or a different survival factor.