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.

Methods are provided for the production of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells. Additionally provided are compositions of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor cells, as well as methods for the therapeutic use thereof. Exemplary methods may produce substantially pure cultures of photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor cells.

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.

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.

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 disclosure relates to methods for producing dopaminergic cells and evaluating their functionality. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with laminin-111, laminin-121, laminin-521, laminin-421, or laminin-511 in cell culture medium containing a GSK3 inhibitor and a TGF-β inhibitor as well as timely administered fibroblast growth factor, desired neural cells are produced at far higher rates. Useful cell culture kits for producing such dopaminergic cells are also described herein, as are methods of using such cells for stem cell therapy.

The present invention provides methods and uses of neural cells differentiated from adult stem cells of the oral mucosa for cell therapy of neurological and psychiatric diseases and disorders. Methods for direction of differentiation of oral mucosal stem cells into neuronal or neuron supporting cells are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for producing astrocytes comprising obtaining neural progenitor cells from stem cells so as to continuously produce astrocytes with high purity and same traits, followed by two steps of differentiating the neural progenitor cells into the astrocytes, and astrocytes produced therefrom. Since the method of preparing the astrocytes provided in the present invention enables not only production of the astrocytes with high purity and faster production of the astrocytes with same characteristics, but also rapid differentiation of the astrocytes using the neural progenitor cells when necessary, it can be widely used for effectively treating a patient with a disease which requires transplantation of the astrocytes.

Methods for Generating Neural Crest-Like Cells and Nociceptor-Like Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells are Provided Along with the Related Compositions.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to the delivery of electrical stimuli via cell-penetrating nanoelectrodes. Such electrical stimuli leads to differentiation of cells, including but not limited to adipose derived stem cells, to neural lineage, specifically to neural cells.