Provided are novel serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3 and ascorbic acid at a concentration of at least about 50 microgram/ml; ascorbic acid at a concentration range of about 400-600 microgram/ml, bFGF at a concentration range of about 50-200 ng/ml, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture; the IL6RIL6 chimera at a concentration range of about 50-200 picogram per milliliter (pg/ml); or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) at a concentration of at least 2000 units/ml; cell cultures comprising same with pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems; and methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation.

Novel MSC stem-cell culture and therapy methods and culture medium compositions for the purpose of inducing, activating, or priming discrete uniform cell phenotypes to selectively promote or suppress inflammation and immunity, yielding polarized, primed, activated, or induced cells used in cell-based therapy.

The present disclosure relates to the use of laminin-521 in obtaining retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in totally defined and xeno-free conditions. A first cell culture medium contains a growth factor, and a second cell culture medium does not contain growth factor. The stem cells are first exposed to the first cell culture medium, then exposed to the second cell culture medium for a longer time period. After a number of weeks, clinical grade RPE cells are obtained from the stem cells.

Described herein are methods for the production of extracellular vesicles comprising culturing a population of producer cells in single-cell suspension, wherein the cells are cultured in chemically-defined culture medium, wherein the culture medium lacks animal-derived serum and animal-derived components; and obtaining from the cell culture an extracellular vesicle preparation comprising extracellular vesicles. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise perfusion culturing methods, including single-cell perfusion culturing methods and batch-refeed culturing methods. The methods described herein are a significant improvement over the state of the art and fulfills an unmet need in the field of extracellular vesicle manufacturing and quality control.

Provided are novel serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3 and ascorbic acid at a concentration of at least about 50 microgram/ml; ascorbic acid at a concentration range of about 400-600 microgram/ml, bFGF at a concentration range of about 50-200 ng/ml, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture; the IL6RIL6 chimera at a concentration range of about 50-200 picogram per milliliter (pg/ml); or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) at a concentration of at least 2000 units/ml; cell cultures comprising same with pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems; and methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation.

Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60/TRA1-81/SSEA1+/SSEA4 expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliay Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.

The present invention relates to animal protein-free cell culture media comprising polyamines and a plant- and/or yeast-derived hydrolysate. The invention also relates to animal protein-free culturing processes, wherein cells can be cultivated, propagated and passaged without adding supplementary animal proteins in the culture medium. These processes are useful in cultivating cells, such as recombinant cells or cells infected with a virus, and for producing biological products by cell culture processes.

Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60/TRA1-81/SSEA1+/SSEA4 expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliay Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.

A serum-free and animal-component-free culture media for expansion of muscle satellite cells is disclosed. The disclosed media can be for use in cultured food applications. The disclosed media can include a baseline serum-free and animal component-free culture media and a recombinant version of albumin. The baseline media, in use, provides a baseline growth capability for expansion of the muscle satellite cells for use in cultured food applications. The disclosed media, in use, provides an improved growth capability for expansion of the muscle satellite cells. The improved growth capability is at least 50% greater than the baseline growth capability. Methods of making and using the disclosed media are also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to the use of laminin-521 in obtaining retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in totally defined and xeno-free conditions. A first cell culture medium contains a growth factor, and a second cell culture medium does not contain growth factor. The stem cells are first exposed to the first cell culture medium, then exposed to the second cell culture medium for a longer time period. After a number of weeks, clinical grade RPE cells are obtained from the stem cells.