Certain exemplary embodiments are directed to a biologically active composition of matter (and uses thereof) configured for targeted delivery of biotin to mitochondria, the composition comprising a first D-biotin conjugated to a water-soluble, cell-permeable, peptide sequence, wherein the peptide sequence is selected from a polypeptide group with an alternating aromatic-cationic motif.

Methods for ex vivo expansion of very small embryonic like stem cells in the absence of feeder cells are provided. In some embodiments the methods include providing a plurality of VSELs; and growing the VSELs in a culture medium that includes a histone deacetylase inhibitor, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and optionally transforming growth factor beta in an amount that is sufficient to overcome quiescence of the VSELs. Also provided are feeder cell-free cell cultures, ex vivo expanded VSELs, pharmaceutical compositions that include the disclosed ex vivo expanded VSELs, methods for overcoming quiescence in VSELs, methods for re-establishing imprinting in VSELs, method for treating injuries to tissues in subjects, methods for repopulating cell types in subjects, methods for bone marrow transplantation, methods for treating radiation exposure in subjects, and methods that relate to regenerative medicine.

The present invention relates to the field of biology and medicine, and more specifically, to the field of stem-cell biology, involving producing or generating melanocytes from stem-cells and precursors derived from human hair root. Additionally, the present invention relates to the materials and method for producing autografts, homografts or allografts comprising melanocytes in general, as well as the materials and methods for producing autografts, homografts and allografts comprising melanocytes for the treatment of diseases related to depigmentation of the skin and for the treatment of scars.

The present disclosure relates to a modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium, a bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell and a culture method and use thereof, the modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium comprising a basal culture medium, a first component, and melatonin, wherein the first component is at least one selected from the group consisting of coenzyme Q10 and mitoquinone mesylate, and has a working concentration in a range from 1 μM to 20 μM, the melatonin has a working concentration in a range from 1 μM to 20 μM, and the first component and the melatonin are in a molar ratio ranging from 1:0.2 to 1:10. The modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium can increase the mitochondrial activity and the number of mitochondria in mesenchymal stem cells.

The present disclosure provides methods and kits for the differentiation of stem cells into relevant liver cell lineages, as well as methods of using the relevant liver cell lineages in screening for a cellular response, a phenotype and in the treatment of a condition. In one embodiment, stem cells are first differentiated into cells of the definitive endoderm lineage, which are differentiated into posterior foregut (PFG) lineage cells by one or more of retinoic acid activators and/or one or more inhibitors of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). An additional embodiment provides a method for the differentiation of posterior foregut lineage cells into liver bud progenitors (LB) by one or more activators of TGFβ signalling, and/or one or more modulators of Wnt signalling, and/or one or more activators of cyclic AMP/PKA signaling; and a further embodiment provides a method for the differentiation of liver bud progenitors into hepatic progenitors by one or more inhibitors of TGFβ signalling and/or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) inhibitors and/or one or more Notch inhibitors. Another embodiment discloses the differentiation of hepatic progenitors into hepatocyte-like cells or perivenous hepatocyte-like cells by one or more of Notch inhibitors and/or activators of glucocorticoid signalling and/or one or more activators of insulin signalling and/or one or more of ascorbic acid signalling activators and/or additional factors. Methods and kits for maintaining LB in self renewal state, hepatocyte-like cells in perivenous or periportal state, as well as surface markers for LB and mid/hindgut (MHG) cells are also disclosed.

To provide a method for serum-free culture of human cartilage cells and a serum-free culture medium. A method for serum-free culture of cartilage cells, said method comprising: an enzymatic treatment step for treating a human cartilage cell-containing tissue with a protease; an inhibitor-treatment step for, after the enzymatic treatment step, treating the tissue with an inhibitor for the aforesaid protease; and a culture step for, after the inhibitor-treatment step, culturing the tissue in a serum-free culture medium that contains kartogenin and/or SAG, ITS, FGF2 and hydrocortisone. A serum-free culture medium for culturing cartilage cells, said serum-free culture medium containing kartogenin and/or SAG, ITS, FGF2 and hydrocortisone.

Provided is a method for inducing pancreatic hormone-producing cells from pancreatic progenitor cells efficiently. The method comprises a step of culturing the cells in a culture medium comprising sodium cromoglicate.

The present invention provides culture mediums that are useful for the expression of ADAMTS proteins, such as ADAMTS13. Methods for the expression and purification of ADAMTS proteins are also provided. In some embodiments, the mediums and methods of the invention are useful for the expression of ADAMTS proteins having high specific activities. Also provided are ADAMTS, e.g., ADAMTS13, protein compositions with high specific activities, which are expressed and purified according to the methods provided herein.

The present invention provides a method for proliferating neural progenitor cells and a composition for treating neurological diseases, the composition including a proliferated neural progenitor cell. When a fetal neural progenitor cell is cultured under a hypoxia condition and/or in a medium containing tocoperol, tocoperol acetate, or a mixture thereof, the improved cell proliferation rates of the fetal neural progenitor cell are confirmed. In addition, considering an effect of the neural progenitor cell on preventing differentiation thereof into neurons at the time of proliferation, the present disclosure may contribute to mass production of neural stem cells, and accordingly, the proliferated neural progenitor cell is expected to be utilized in the treatment of a neurological disease.

Cell populations of intestinal midgut endoderm cells and methods of generating the cells expressing markers characteristic of intestinal endoderm lineage are disclosed. Methods of treating conditions such as diabetes are also disclosed.