Methods for generating functional brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) under chemically defined, serum-free conditions are provided. In particular, efficient and cost-effective methods for generating functional BMECs under chemically defined culture conditions are provided. BMECs obtained according to the methods provided herein are suitable for in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) formation.

A culture medium is disclosed which comprises STAT3 activator, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and an Axin stabilizer, and optionally also a PKC inhibitor. Cell cultures comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the use of transgenic plants for the expression of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) binding proteins. Plant cells are transformed with nucleotide sequences adapted for expression and secretion of vitamin B12 binding proteins. The present invention also relates to the use of recombinant vitamin B12 binding proteins from plants in analytical tests and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency. Also disclosed is a method for purification of recombinant vitamin B12 binding proteins.

The present invention provides a method for generation of a cell composition of mesencephalic dopaminergic progenitor cells from a starting cell composition comprising pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells, the method comprising the steps of a) differentiating said pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells into mesencephalic dopaminergic progenitor cells, thereby generating a cell population comprising mesencephalic dopaminergic progenitor cells and other cells, b) dissociating the differentiated cells of step a) into a single cell suspension, and c) enriching said mesencephalic dopaminergic progenitor cells by using an antigen binding molecule specific for the CD47 antigen for positive selection of said mesencephalic dopaminergic progenitor cells in said single cell suspension. Said method may be performed in a closed cell sample processing system and may be performed in an automated manner.

A method for culturing placental potential cell is provided, comprising steps of: (1) obtaining placental cells and/or tissue under aseptic condition; (2) inoculating the placental cells and/or the tissue in a culture medium for culturing, adding cell growth regulators to the culture medium, in such a manner that the placental potential cells grows to make the placental cells and/or the tissue into a proliferative state; (3) culturing the placental potential cells to make the placental potential cells proliferate continuously into cells with characteristics of stem cells. The present invention not only finds the source of human tissues, organs and the continuation of their function, i.e., regenerative potential cells; but also finds a medical and health longevity method, but also finds out the life materials to maintain and support the potential cells, so as to replace drugs with the living material.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods to prepare insulin secreting cells from a skin sample from a mammal.

Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm 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.

The present invention relates to a population of cells with an increased proportion of left ventricular cardiomyocytes, and uses thereof, for example in treatment of disorders of the left ventricle and use in screening for drugs which may be used to treat disorders of the left ventricle.

Provided herein are methods for the activation and expansion of T cells. Further provided are methods for the use of the T cells for therapy.