Described herein are methods and compositions related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Improved techniques for establishing highly efficient, reproducible reprogramming using non-integrating episomal plasmid vectors. Using the described reprogramming protocol, one is able to consistently reprogram non-T cells with close to 100% success from non-T cell or non-B cell sources. Further advantages include use of a defined reprogramming media E7 and using defined clinically compatible substrate recombinant human L-521. Generation of iPSCs from these blood cell sources allows for recapitulation of the entire genomic repertoire, preservation of genomic fidelity and enhanced genomic stability.

The present disclosure provides cell-based compositions for treating diabetes, methods for identifying cells that preferentially differentiate into endoderm cells, and methods for preparing insulin-producing pancreatic cells, as well as related methods of use for treating diseases related to insulin deficiency.

The present disclosure provides cell-based compositions for treating diabetes, methods for identifying cells that preferentially differentiate into endoderm cells, and methods for preparing insulin-producing pancreatic cells, as well as related methods of use for treating diseases related to insulin deficiency.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for regenerating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from retinal neuron cells by activating transcription factors such as one or more of Atoh7, Brn3B, Sox4, Sox11, or Ils1. The retinal neuron cells may be interneuron cells such as amacrine cells, horizontal cells, and bipolar cell. The regenerated RGCs can project axons into discrete subcortical brain regions and establish retina-brain connections. They can respond to visual stimulation and transmit electrical signals into the brain. Therefore, the regenerated RGCs can replace damaged or degenerated RGCs, thereby treating vision impairment or blindness. The methods are likewise applicable to degenerated, damaged, or aged RGCs to stimulate them to regrow functional axons, thereby rejuvenating these RGCs.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for culturing factor-introduced cells, the method including culturing factor-introduced cells and recovering the factor-introduced cells and seeding at least part of the recovered cells in a medium for seeding. In addition, there is provided a method for culturing factor-introduced cells, the method including culturing factor-introduced cells and inducing the factor-introduced cells to somatic cells different from pluripotent stem cells without passaging.

The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.

The current disclosure provides methods for reprogramming mammalian somatic cells by regulating the expression of endogenous cellular genes. Cellular reprogramming of somatic cells can be induced by activating the transcription of embryonic stem cell-associated genes (e.g., oct3/4) and suppressing the transcription of somatic cell-specific and/or cell death-associated genes. The endogenous transcription machinery can be modulated using synthetic transcription factors (activators and suppressors), to allow for faster, and more efficient nuclear reprogramming under conditions amenable for clinical and commercial applications. The current disclosure further provides cells obtained from such methods, along with therapeutic methods for using such cells for the treatment of diseases amendable to stem cell therapy, as well as kits for such uses.

Disclosed herein are methods to reliably and robustly generate a pure population of airway basal cells that are capable of producing a normal mucociliary epithelium. Such basal cells may be used to treat chronic respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma.

A method of generating protein-induced pluripotent stem cells by delivering bacterially expressed reprogramming proteins into nuclei of starting somatic cells using the QQ-protein transduction technique, repeating several cell reprogramming cycles for creating reprogrammed protein-induced pluripotent stem cells, moving the reprogrammed cells into a feeder-free medium for expansion, and expanding and passaging the reprogrammed cells in a whole dish for generating homogeneous piPS cells. Also provided are the piPCS cells formed using this method and uses thereof.

Described herein are methods and compositions related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Improved techniques for establishing highly efficient, reproducible reprogramming using non-integrating episomal plasmid vectors. Using the described reprogramming protocol, one is able to consistently reprogram non-T cells with close to 100% success from non-T cell or non-B cell sources. Further advantages include use of a defined reprogramming media E7 and using defined clinically compatible substrate recombinant human L-521. Generation of iPSCs from these blood cell sources allows for recapitulation of the entire genomic repertoire, preservation of genomic fidelity and enhanced genomic stability.