The present disclosure relates to a method of expanding myeloid progenitor cells by culturing an initial population of cells in a medium comprising a mixture of cytokines and growth factors that promote growth and expansion of the myeloid progenitor cells. The expanded cell population provides a source of cells as therapeutic treatments for neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia arising in patients subjected to myeloablative therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Methods, kits, compositions, and systems are provided for culturing pluripotent stem cells to produce populations of cells comprising beta-like cells (e.g., pancreatic lineage, glucose-responsive, and/or insulin-producing). In particular, culture conditions are provided that result in the generation of beta-like cells from a starting culture of human pluripotent stem cells.

Disclosed herein is a different and novel approach to cancer vaccines using a subject's own dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (Mphs) in combination to present cancer antigens to the immune system. Further disclosed are methods of producing monocyte-derived autologous DCs and Mphs loaded ex vivo with particular whole irradiated cancer cells which generates optimally activated immunostimulatory antigen-presenting cells (APCs) as a superior method for stimulating robust and long-lasting immunity to a particular cancer in vivo as compared with more traditional vaccination methods. Compositions, methods of use and methods for preparation of these DCs and Mphs with cancer cells are also disclosed herein.

Provided are a genetically modified oligodendrocyte progenitor cell, a preparation method therefor and a use thereof. Also provided is a method capable of simultaneously repairing myelin, promoting myelin production, and reducing inflammatory responses and autoimmune damage; the method comprises a genetically engineered oligodendrocyte progenitor cell achieving direct repair of a myelin sheath by means of transplantation of the genetically modified oligodendrocyte progenitor cell, which can alleviate an inflammatory response of the nerve and improve nerve function. This has very good application prospects in the clinical treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Described herein is a method for producing blood progenitor (hematopoietic progenitor cells) and T cell progenitor cells and to cells produced or obtainable by the process and the use of said cells, the method including: (a) optionally subjecting pluripotent stem cells under conditions that direct the cells to become mesoderm and subsequently hemogenic endothelial cells; and (b) directing hemogenic endothelial cells to differentiate into blood progenitor cells, preferably defined blood progenitor cells) using a media formulation designed to promote endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT) while being cultured on a surface functionalised with ligands designed to activate the Notch signaling pathway. In some aspects the ligands are Notch ligands, such as DLL4 and integrin ligands, such as integrin ?4?1 ligand or VCAM1.

The present invention provides a compounded cell culture medium powder formulation comprising: a basal medium powder and a cell culture media supplement, wherein the cell culture media supplement comprises and one or more salts; one or more growth factors; one or more inorganic ions; an amino acid supplement comprising one or more of asparagine, glutamine, histidine, and serine; one or more buffers; and one or more anti-foaming agents. The invention further provides methods of making a compounded cell culture medium powder formulation methods of making a cell culture medium for growing mammalian cells and methods of producing a protein of interest by culturing cells in the cell culture medium and isolating the protein of interest.

Cells derived from postpartum placenta and methods for their isolation are provided by the invention. The invention further provides cultures and compositions of the placenta-derived cells. The placenta-derived cells of the invention have a plethora of uses, including but not limited to research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.

The present invention provides methods and kits for differentiating podocytes from pluripotent stem cells and from other cell types.

Cells derived from postpartum placenta and methods for their isolation are provided by the invention. The invention further provides cultures and compositions of the placenta-derived cells. The placenta-derived cells of the invention have a plethora of uses, including but not limited to research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.

This invention provides a system for obtaining cells of the chondrocyte lineage by differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells. The process involves culturing the cells as a micromass or other aggregate form in a cocktail of differentiation agents that facilitates outgrowth of the desired cell type. Progeny are capable of synthesizing Type II collagen or aggrecan, or other products that are characteristic of the chondrocyte lineage. Chondrocytes and chondrocyte precursor cells obtained according to this disclosure are suitable for use in both research and clinical therapy.