The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cells in medium comprising a sufficient amount of GDF-8 to cause the differentiation of the pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cells in medium comprising a sufficient amount of GDF-8 to cause the differentiation of the pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

The present teachings provide for a method of breeding livestock in vitro. Provided are steps to create embryonic stem cells from a plurality of blastocysts, genotype the embryonic stem cells to select the best embryos for mating to create offspring, and induce the embryonic stem cells into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs). Male PGCLCs are further induced into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells, and then spermatid-like cells. Female PGCLCs are induced into oocytes, which are then matured. The resulting gametes can then be mixed with each other or with opposite sex gametes from animals with desirable genetics to create the next generation of embryos, which can then be run through the process again. This method of in vitro breeding can be used to increase the speed of genetic progress in livestock.

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to produce a population of cells, wherein greater than 80% of the cells in the population express markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

The invention relates to improved culture methods for expanding epithelial stem cells and obtaining organoids, to culture media involved in said methods, and to uses of said organoids.

The present invention provides a method for producing a retinal progenitor cell, including (1) a first step of subjecting pluripotent stem cells to floating culture in a serum-free medium to form an aggregate of pluripotent stem cells, and (2) a second step of subjecting the aggregate formed in step (1) to floating culture in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium each being free of a substance acting on the Sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathway but containing a substance acting on the BMP signal transduction pathway, thereby obtaining an aggregate containing retinal progenitor cells.

Provided herein are methods of producing cells and precursors thereof utilizing a Wnt signaling inhibitor or PKC activator, or both. Also provided herein are in vitro cultures comprising said cells, methods of treating a subject with a disease characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time by administering said cells, and devices for encapsulating said cells.

The present invention provides: a lubricin-localized cartilage-like tissue characterized in that, when in an arbitrary cross section passing a first center of mass of a cartilage-like tissue derived from pluripotent stem cells or a center-of-mass region, which is a portion inside a concentric sphere being centered at the first center of mass and having a diameter of [first major diameter0.2], the expression level of lubricin per unit area contained in a central region, which is a portion inside a concentric circle being centered at a second center of mass that is the center of mass of the cross section and having a diameter of [major diameter of cross section (second major diameter)(0.4 to 0.9)] is referred to as the central lubricin level and the expression level of lubricin per unit area contained in the non-central region is referred to as the non-central lubricin level.

Disclosed herein are media, kits, and methods for differentiating mammalian progenitor cells to a downstream lineage of cells. Embodiments of disclosed media, methods and kits may be used to differentiate mammalian progenitor cells to tenocytes or tenocyte-like cells, or chondrocytes or chondrocyte-like cells.

The present invention provides a method for producing a retinal progenitor cell, including (1) a first step of subjecting pluripotent stem cells to floating culture in a serum-free medium to form an aggregate of pluripotent stem cells, and (2) a second step of subjecting the aggregate formed in step (1) to floating culture in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium each being free of a substance acting on the Sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathway but containing a substance acting on the BMP signal transduction pathway, thereby obtaining an aggregate containing retinal progenitor cells.