A method to improve the production of acetyl-CoA-derived biochemicals by overexpression of an acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase or acetate-CoA ligase from naturally acetate-utilizing organisms with or without an added acetate transporter. The production of free fatty acid and its derivatives from renewable carbon source was used as a non-limiting example. Using this approach, the production of free fatty acids with yield close to the maximum theoretical yield at high titer can be achieved. As such, this invention will provide the necessary framework to produce many other products sharing or branching out from the fatty acid synthesis pathway economically. These products include hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, hydroxy fatty acids, dicarboxylic acids, fatty acid esters, etc.

A method for increasing dendritic cell migration ability, and a use thereof are disclosed. A method according to one aspect can increase the migration ability of mature dendritic cells and increase the induction, by dendritic cells, of inflammatory cytokine production, T lymphocyte proliferation and T lymphocyte polarization, and thus can be used for the prevention or treatment of immune-related diseases.

A method of increasing milk secretion of a predetermined milk component from a tissue culture comprising mammary epithelial cells (MECs) is provided. The method comprising admixing into a medium composition comprising the tissue culture, a biologically effective concentration of a composition selectably operable to increase the secretion of the predetermined components, the composition comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, beta-hydroxybutirate (BHBA) and a phenolic composition, wherein the agent is not an ethanol extract of P. lentiscus; and when the agent comprises oleic acid it comprises at least two of the agents.

Directed differentiation and maturation of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes. The hepatocyte obtained show a phenotype which is more similar to that of primary hepatocytes than previously shown. In particular, exposure of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes, to at least one maturation factor selected from the group consisting of Src kinase inhibitors, vitamin D including precursors, metabolites and analogs thereof, hypoxia inducing compounds, sphingosine and sphingosine derivatives, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), platelet-activating factor (PAF), PKC inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

A new cell line and an antibody for determining the activity of botulinum toxin are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of determining the activity of botulinum toxin using the cell line and/or the antibody.

The present description relates to in vitro methods for culturing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) under mild hyperthermia conditions (e.g., between 38 C. and 40 C.) in the presence of a pyrimidoindole derivative agonist of hematopoietic stem cell expansion. The combined use of mild hyperthermia and the pyrimidoindole derivative act synergistically to promote expansion of CD34+ HSCs and/or differentiation into progenitor cells (e.g., megakaryocytic progenitors). The present description also relates to in vitro expanded cell populations of HSCs and/or progenitors, as well as uses thereof in therapy (e.g., transplantation).

Culture media, which contain albumin carrying a reduced amount of fatty acid, are useful for culturing stem cells.

Disclosed are methods of treating or reducing the occurrence of a steatohepatitis disorder. The disorder may include, for example, NASH, parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD), or genetic forms of liver disease. The method may comprise the step of administering a composition comprising obeticholic acid to an individual in need thereof.

Methods for expanding beating cardiomyocytes, comprising treating the beating cardiomyocytes with one or more Wnt agonists, one or more bioactive lipids or a combination of one or more Wnt agonists and one or more bioactive lipids. Methods for differentiating stem cells, including iPS cells, into beating cardiomyocytes, comprising treating the iPS cells with a combination of one or more Wnt agonists and one or more bioactive lipids. Compositions and kits for regenerative medicine, comprising beating cardiomyocytes, one or more Wnt agonists and one or more bioactive lipids.

This invention demonstrates the formation of a novel polarized membrane lipid raft signaling module in neurons, in response to several diverse neurotoxic stimuli. This polarization occurs well before neurons commit to die, and is an early mechanism in death signaling. The formation of this signaling module is dependent on cholesterol for its formation and provides a mechanistic explanation for the protective effects of cholesterol depleting drugs in several non-neural models of cell death. As such, the formation of the signaling module lends itself as a novel screen for the identification of new drugs and therapeutics which would retard its formation and protect against neuronal injury and death.