Provided herein are methods of producing erythrocytes from hematopoietic cells, particularly hematopoietic cells from placental perfusate in combination with hematopoietic cells from umbilical cord blood, wherein the method results in accelerated expansion and differentiation of the hematopoietic cells to more efficiently produce administrable erythrocytes. Further provided herein is a bioreactor in which hematopoietic cell expansion and differentiation takes place.

The invention relates to an in vitro method to generate T cell progenitors, comprising the step of culturing CD34+ cells in a medium containing TNF-alpha and/or an antagonist of the Aryl hydro-carbon/Dioxin receptor, in particular StemRegenin 1 (SR1), in presence of a Notch ligand and optionally a fibronectin fragment.

The invention provides methods for using Umbilical Cord Lining Stem Cells (ULSCs) to produce therapeutic factors including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and extracellular matrix components. ULSCs are mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord lining. They can be efficiently propagated and expanded in vitro. Under specific conditions ULSCs produce useful therapeutic factors that can be used to treat injuries and degenerative conditions.

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.

Implementations are described that relate to methods and systems for growing cells in a hollow fiber bioreactor. In implementations, the cells may be exposed to a number of growth factors including a combination of recombinant growth factors. In other implementations, the cells may be grown in co-culture with other cells, e.g., hMSC's. In implementations, the cells may include CD34+ cells. A coated membrane includes a membrane having a first coating configured to promote cellular adhesion to the membrane and a second coating that includes a soluble protein moiety.

Provided herein are methods of obtaining induced pluripotent stem cells from cells of a hematopoietic lineage.

Factor rich compositions produced from umbilical cord (UC) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are described. Secretory UC MSCs in serum free culture conditions produce a factor rich conditioned medium which may be concentrated and filtered to obtain clinical grade products.

The present invention relates to methods for making in vitro retinal cultures, tissue, or retinal organoids, from pluripotent cells as well as the improved synthetic retinal tissue and retinal organoids themselves. It also relates to retinal organoids that replicate in vitro many characteristics of the retina (e.g., human or mammalian), and methods of using this retinal organoid to study disease and to identify therapeutic agents for the treatment of retinal diseases and disorders.

This invention relates to the production of a population of haemogenic progenitor cells by (i) differentiating a population of induced pluri potent stem cells (IPSCs) into mesoderm cells and; (II) differentiating the mesoderm cells to produce a population of haemogenic progenitor cells. Steps (i) and (ii) are performed without purification or isolation of cells in the population. In addition, the haemogenic progenitor cells may be produced without the use of serum or stromal co-culture. Methods of the invention may be useful for example, in the production of clinical grade blood cells, such as T cells, for use in immunotherapy.

This invention relates to the production of a population of TCR αβ+ T cells by a method comprising (i) differentiating a population of haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) into progenitor T cells and (ii) maturing the progenitor T cells to produce a population of TCR αβ+ T cells. One or both of steps (i) and (ii) are performed in the presence of Inducible Co-stimulator ligand (ICOS-L). The presence of ICOS-L in steps (i) and/or (ii) may increase expression of αβ T cell receptors and/or increase the proportion of HPCs or progenitor T cells that mature into TCR αβ+ cells. This may be useful for example in the production of T cells for immunotherapy.