Induced pluripotent stem cells are treated using a combination of compounds that improve competence of the induced pluripotent stem cells in responding to differentiation signals and/or improve the efficiency of differentiation of the treated induced pluripotent stem cells in differentiation towards a desired phenotype. The combination treatment can incorporate two or more of prolongation of early G1 phase, treatment with an interleukin, modulation of DNA methylation, modulation of histone acetylation, and activation of the Wnt pathway. Cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells so treated can be used in regenerative therapy and production of organoids.

The present disclosure relates to methods of obtaining mitochondria from cells, mitochondria obtained by such methods, and uses of mitochondria obtained by such methods.

The present disclosure is related to methods for forming a stem cell bank. The methods include obtaining a first stem cell from a multi-cell fertilized embryo, expanding the first stem cell into two or more descendant stem cells, and storing at least one of the descendant stem cells to form the stem cell bank. Also disclosed is a kit that can be used for making the stem cell bank during in vitro fertilization. If desired, the HLA serotype of the stem cells can be determined prior to storage.

The present invention provides manufacturing processes for biological replication of undifferentiated plant and animal cells and tissue in a weightless condition, including those systems used in current stem cell research and development and use of undifferentiated parenchyma in plants. The present invention further provides methods for adapting plants and animals to survive outside their native environments. In particular, undifferentiated cells from plants or animals are replicated under weightless conditions in which cell replication or proliferation is accelerated and sustained. Under such conditions, the undifferentiated cells can be “forced” to express sets of genes useful for survival in particular environmental conditions. In this manner, cells surviving prolonged exposure to specific environmental conditions can be selected for and cultivated to produce an organism adapted to that particular environment in an accelerated manner. Methods of identifying specific genes associated with adaptation of a plant or animal to a specific environment are also disclosed.

Provided herein are cytoplasts, compositions comprising cytoplasts, methods of using cytoplasts, and methods of treating a subject, such as providing benefits to a healthy or unhealthy subject, or treating or diagnosing a disease or condition in a subject. In some embodiments, methods of treating a subject include: administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that include a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are kits comprising instructions for using the compositions or methods.

A method for metastasis diagnosis, including adhering a plurality of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) on an array of electrodes patterned on a substrate to cover the array of electrodes by HUVECs, measuring an initial electrical signal from each electrode of the array of electrodes, introducing a metastatic-suspicious sample onto the substrate and measuring a set of time-lapse electrical signals from the array of electrodes. Each electrode has an On/Off two-state, including an On state for an entirely-covered electrode by a HUVEC and an Off state for a partially-covered electrode by a HUVEC. Diagnosing metastasis responsive to detecting a state change from On to Off for at least one electrode of the array of electrodes.

The present invention provides: a method for producing mixed cells comprising cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and mural cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising (a) a step of producing cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells and (b) a step of culturing the cardiomyocytes in the presence of VEGF; and a therapeutic agent for heart diseases, comprising the mixed cells produced by the method.

Provided are a sanal culturing composition and a method for culturing sanal using the same.

Provided herein are active CXCR4.sup.+ CD8.sup.+ T cells, active CXCR4.sup.+ type-1 CD4.sup.+ T cells and active CXCR4.sup.+ NK cells and populations of those cells, methods for making active CXCR4.sup.+ T cells and NK cells and populations of those cells, and methods for using active CXCR4.sup.+ T cells and NK cells and populations of those cells for the treatment of cancer, precancerous conditions and chronic infections.

Human biliary tree stem/progenitors (hBTSCs) are being used for cell therapies of patients with liver cirrhosis. A cryopreservation method was established to optimize sourcing of hBTSCs for these clinical programs and that comprises serum-free Kubota's Medium (KM) supplemented with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ˜3% recombinant human albumin and 0.1% hyaluronans. Cryopreserved versus freshly isolated hBTSCs were similar in vitro with respect to self-replication, stemness traits, and multipotency. They were able to differentiate to functional hepatocytes, cholangiocytes or pancreatic islets, yielding similar levels of secretion of albumin or of glucose-inducible levels of insulin. Cryopreserved versus freshly isolated hBTSCs were equally able to engraft into immunocompromised mice yielding cells with human-specific gene expression and human albumin levels in murine serum that were higher for cryopreserved than for freshly isolated hBTSCs. The successful cryoypreservation of hBTSCs facilitates establishment of hBTSCs cell banking offering logistical advantages for clinical programs for treatment of liver disease.