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.

The present invention provides a method for preparing induced pluripotent stem cells through somatic cell reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells obtained therefrom. The present method comprises introducing the factors Oct4 and Nanog as reprogramming-inducing factors into somatic cells to perform reprogramming; followed by culturing the partially or fully reprogrammed somatic cells in a medium comprising specific chemical inducing agents to obtain induced pluripotent stem cells. In the present invention, the combination of different forms of reprogramming-inducing factors and three small-molecule compounds as chemical inducing agents can significantly improve the reprogramming efficiency of human somatic cells and reduce the tumorigenicity of the obtained induced pluripotent stem cells.

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.

A method for coordinating the manufacturing of an expanded cell therapy product for a patient may include receiving a cell order request to expand the cell therapy product for the patient; generating a patient-specific identifier or cell order identifier associated with the cell order request; and initiating a process to expand the cell therapy product from at least some of a solid tumor obtained from the patient. If acceptance parameters for the expansion cell therapy product do not meet certain acceptance criteria at a second time point subsequent to a first time point in the expansion process, it is determined whether re-performing the expansion of the cell therapy product using the cell expansion technique is possible from the first time point based on the acceptance parameters at the second time point. If such re-performing the expansion is possible, patient treatment events that use the expanded cell therapy product are rescheduled.

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.

Provided is a pre-conditioned mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), an exosome derived therefrom, and a cell-protective composition including the pre-conditioned MSC or the exosome. Also provided is a method for preparing the pre-conditioned MSC by contacting an MSC with an effective amount of ginkgolide A. Still provided is a method for promoting recovery or reducing death of damaged nerve cells, including administering to the damaged nerve cells a composition including the pre-conditioned MSC or the exosome.

The present invention provides improved and/or shortened methods for expanding TILs and producing therapeutic populations of TILs, including novel methods for expanding TIL populations in a closed system that lead to improved efficacy, improved phenotype, and increased metabolic health of the TILs in a shorter time period, while allowing for reduced microbial contamination as well as decreased costs. Such TILs find use in therapeutic treatment regimens.