The present invention provides methods and compostions to improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and the consequent production of nuclear transfer ESC (ntESC) and transgenic cells and/or non-human animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to the discovery that trimethylation of Histone H3-Lysine 9 (H3K9me3) in reprogramming resistant regions (RRRs) in the nuclear genetic material of donor somatic cells prevents efficient somatic cell nuclear reprogramming or SCNT. The present invention provide methods and compositions to decrease H3K9me3 in methods to improve efficacy of SCNT by exogenous or overexpression of the demethylase Kdm4 family and/or inhibiting methylation of H3K9me3 by inhibiting the histone methyltransferases Suv39h1 and/or Suv39h2.

Haploid human embryonic stem cells and cell lines, haploid multipotent human cells, and haploid differentiated human cells are provided. In addition, methods of making and using the haploid human cells are provided.

Disclosed are methods of growing and culturing xenotypic tissue or xenotypic organs in a mammalian species. The methods of growing human organs in other mammalian species are disclosed and such human organs can be used for transplant purposes.

The present invention provides modified oocytes having a nuclear genome derived from a first oocyte and cytoplasm derived from a second oocyte from a different subject, and methods for making and using such modified oocytes. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be useful in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, in in vitro fertilization (“IVF”) procedures.

The present invention provides modified oocytes having a nuclear genome derived from a first oocyte and cytoplasm derived from a second oocyte from a different subject, and methods for making and using such modified oocytes. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be useful in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

Haploid human embryonic stem cells and cell lines, haploid multipotent human cells, and haploid differentiated human cells are provided. In addition, methods of making and using the haploid human cells are provided.

The present invention provides a novel oocyte maturation medium or/and embryo culture medium with a chemically defined supplement to produce matured oocytes at high efficiency. The inventive medium or supplement comprises three growth factors, namely, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in a synergistic combination. Methods for oocyte and embryo culture are also provided.

Provided is a double-gene knockout vector system, a method for preparing porcine fibroblasts with both CD163 gene and CD13 gene being knocked-out, prepared porcine fibroblasts, and a method for preparing a gene-edited pig with both CD163 gene and CD13 gene being knocked-out. The vector system of the present disclosure comprises a CD163 gene knockout vector and a CD13 gene knockout vector. The CD163 gene knockout vector comprises a gene editing vector backbone and a DNA fragment ligated to the gene editing vector backbone, with a nucleotide sequence of the DNA fragment being shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. The CD13 gene knockout vector comprises a gene editing vector backbone and a DNA fragment ligated to the gene editing vector backbone, a nucleotide sequence of the DNA fragment being shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4-6.

The present invention provides methods and compositions to improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) of human cells and the consequent production of human nuclear transfer ESC (hNT-ESCs). More specifically, the present invention relates to the discovery that trimethylation of Histone H3-Lysine 9 (H3K9me3) in reprogramming resistant regions (RRRs) in the nuclear genetic material of human donor somatic cells prevents efficient human somatic cell nuclear reprogramming or SCNT. The present invention provide methods and compositions to decrease H3K9me3 in methods to improve efficacy of hSCNT by exogenous or overexpression of the demethylase KDM4 family and/or inhibiting methylation of H3K9me3 by inhibiting the histone methyltransferases SUV39h1 and/or SUV39h2.

The present invention relates generally to the field of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and to the creation of cloned animals and cells. The disclosure relates to a method of cloning a mammal, obtaining pluripotent cells such as embryonic stem cells, or for reprogramming a mammalian cell using an oocyte and a fertilized embryo.