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.

The present invention relates to a preparation method of a spheroid using human-derived cardiac stem cells and a therapeutic use for ischemic heart disease using the myocardial regeneration effect thereof. The spheroid using the cardiac stem cells provided in the present invention has excellent myocardial differentiation ability and regenerative therapeutic ability as compared to existing cardiac stem cells, and thus may be used for the treatment of ischemic heart disease such as myocardial infarction.

Disclosures herein are directed to chemically defined animal-derived component free supplements designed for individual cell types that supports the ex vivo growth of cells as well or better than serum, in chemically defined conditions.

Disclosed herein are methods for directing a differentiation protocol to produce cells of a desired cell fate, such as SC-β and/or SC-α cells.

Provided is an excellent method for producing an IL-4 non-secreting and IFN-γ secreting (Th1-type) or IFN-γ non-secreting and IL-4 secreting (Th2-type) CD4 single-positive T cell (CD4SP T cell). The method for producing the Th1-type or Th2-type CD4SP T cell of the present invention comprises a step of inducing a CD4 single-positive T cell from a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and/or a hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) substantially defective in a factor involved in IL-4 secretion or a factor involved in IFN-γ secretion.

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and methods for microorganism isolation, characterization and identification based on oxygen, pressure, culture media gradients and metabolites. In each embodiment, the apparatus of the disclosure is particularly useful for the purpose of novel isolation of never before cultured species of microorganisms and their by-products.

The present disclosure relates generally to culture media formulations and culture methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides defined serum-free culture media, kits and methods for generating progenitor T cells and derivatives thereof, including mature T cells. The present disclosure further provides the cells generated using the media, kits and methods, as well as methods of treatment using the generated cells.

The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Provided are populations of cells enriched for MSC-derived cells that are: CD90.sup.+; CD105.sup.+; CD45.sup.−; as well as TIMP-1 secretion high, and MMP13 gene expression low. Such populations of cells are useful as medicaments in contexts where it is desired to make use of the trophic or immunosuppressive therapeutic effects of MSCs, but to avoid activity associated with the capacity of MSCs to undergo phenotypic differentiation. Populations of cells of the invention are useful in the treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of: osteoarthritis; myocardial infarction; meniscus cartilage injury (such as torn meniscus); ligament injury (such as torn ligament); injuries to the skin; and soft tissue injury. They may also be used in treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of: haematological disease; graft-versus-host disease; and inflammatory disease.

Disclosed is a method for culturing urine-derived kidney stem cells, which belongs to the field of cell biology. The method comprises the following steps: isolating cells from the urine, and then culturing the cells with a culture medium of urine-derived kidney stem cells on feeder cells to obtain the urine-derived kidney stem cells, wherein the feeder cells are fibroblasts, and the culture medium of urine-derived kidney stem cells contains 200-300 mL of DMEM medium, 200-300 mL of F12 medium, 20-70 mL of fetal bovine serum, 0.2-2 mM of L-glutamine, 1-14 ng/mL of insulin, 0.1-1 ng/mL of epidermal growth factor, 5-30 μg/mL of adenine, and 2-20 μg/mL of hydrocortisone. By using the method, kidney stem cells with high proliferation capacity and specificity can be obtained and applied, and thus the regenerative outcome of the kidney tissue after injury can be improved.