The techniques described herein provide for improved efficiency of iPSC production from biological cells. The approach achieves improved iPSC production efficiency by obtaining a set of cells whose cell cycles are synchronized at a specific, desired cell cycle phase, such as mitotic phase (also referred to as M phase). The efficacy with which such synchronized cells can be transformed into iPSCs is higher than for an arbitrary set of cells that comprises cells at a variety of different stages in their cycles. Accordingly, the approaches described herein allow efficient generation of iPSCs, thereby facilitating myriad technologies for personalized and regenerative medicine that rely upon the effective production of iPSCs.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing osteoblasts that are applicable, without causing risk of canceration, to bone defect repair or to the treatment of bone resorption, fracture, osteoporosis, or the like. To solve this problem, the present invention provides a method for preparing osteoblasts, the method comprising culturing mammal differentiated somatic cells in a medium in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (1) statin compounds, (2) casein kinase 1 inhibitors, (3) cAMP inducers, and (4) histone methyltransferase inhibitors, to convert the somatic cells into osteoblasts.

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for enhancing the effectiveness of β-cell (Beta-cell)-based therapies. Also disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions related to identifying, sorting and separating heterogeneous populations of stem cell-derived pancreatic β-cells (sBCs) into more useful and functionally homogeneous cell populations. In many embodiments, the most mature and functional of the sBCs are identified and live-sorted using the cell surface protein Ectonucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase-3 (ENTP3), which is also referred to as CD39L3. The presently disclosed methods, systems, and compositions are useful for cell therapies, for example replacement therapy. In many embodiments the disclosed systems, methods, and compositions are useful in treatments for diabetes. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods, systems, and compositions may be useful in treating, preventing, and/or curing diabetes, for example type-1 diabetes.

This invention relates to the efficient generation of cholangiocyte progenitor (CP) cells. Foregut stem cells (FSCs) are cultured in a hepatic induction medium comprising bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and a TGFβ signalling inhibitor to produce a population of hepatoblasts. The hepatoblasts are then cultured in a biliary induction medium comprising fibroblast growth factor (FGF), retinoic acid and a TGFβ ligand to produce a population of cholangiocyte progenitors (CPs). The cholangiocyte progenitors (CPs) may be matured into cholangiocyte-like cells (CLCs) that display functional properties of Common Bile Duct (CBD) cholangiocytes. Methods, kits, cell populations and uses of these cell populations are provided.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of treatment of heterotopic ossification, vascular calcification, or pathologic calcification.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of treatment of heterotopic ossification, vascular calcification, or pathologic calcification.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of treatment of heterotopic ossification, vascular calcification, or pathologic calcification.

The techniques described herein provide for improved efficiency of iPSC production from biological cells. The approach achieves improved iPSC production efficiency by obtaining a set of cells whose cell cycles are synchronized at a specific, desired cell cycle phase, such as mitotic phase (also referred to as M phase). The efficacy with which such synchronized cells can be transformed into iPSCs is higher than for an arbitrary set of cells that comprises cells at a variety of different stages in their cycles. Accordingly, the approaches described herein allow efficient generation of iPSCs, thereby facilitating myriad technologies for personalized and regenerative medicine that rely upon the effective production of iPSCs.

This invention relates to the efficient generation of cholangiocyte progenitor (CP) cells. Foregut stem cells (FSCs) are cultured in a hepatic induction medium comprising bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and a TGF signalling inhibitor to produce a population of hepatoblasts. The hepatoblasts are then cultured in a biliary induction medium comprising fibroblast growth factor (FGF), retinoic acid and a TGF ligand to produce a population of cholangiocyte progenitors (CPs). The cholangiocyte progenitors (CPs) may be matured into cholangiocyte-like cells (CLCs) that display functional properties of Common Bile Duct (CBD) cholangiocytes. Methods, kits, cell populations and uses of these cell populations are provided.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of treatment of heterotopic ossification, vascular calcification, or pathologic calcification.