Provided herein are systems and methods for identifying cell-specific differentiation markers. In particular, provided herein are systems and methods for generating induced pluripotent cells (IPS) from human cells, differentiating the IPS into differentiated cells, and identifying differentiation specific markers.

The disclosure provides an episome comprising OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, cMYC, NANOG, LIN28, and NRSA2. Also disclosed is a method for producing an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. The method comprises introducing an episome into a cell, wherein the episome comprises OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, cMYC, NANOG, LIN28, and NRSA2, and growing the cell under conditions to select for the presence of the episome. The method also comprises selecting a primary clone and growing the primary clone in a medium comprising a MEK inhibitor and a GSK3b inhibitor.

This document provides methods and materials involved obtaining induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. For example, methods and materials for increasing the efficiency for making iPS cells as well as methods and materials for selecting iPS cells are provided.

A recombinant vector for producing an induced pluripotent stem cell, including an Oct family gene, a Klf family gene, and a Myc family gene, wherein the genes are inserted in the vector and an induced pluripotent stem cell including the recombinant vector. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a recombinant vector for producing an induced pluripotent stem cell, including inserting each of the three genes into a vector such that the genes are capable of expression. Also disclosed are a first recombinant vector for preparing a second recombinant vector for producing an induced pluripotent stem cell, said first recombinant vector including at least two of the following four genes: an Oct family gene, a Klf family gene, a Myc family gene and a Sox family gene. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the first recombinant vector, including inserting the at least two genes into a vector.

Provided is a method for inducing a skeletal muscle cell including a step of introducing MyoD family gene or an expression product thereof and Myc family gene or an expression product thereof into a somatic cell of a mammal.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing hearing loss in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject in need thereof, at least Myc or an agent that increases the expression of Myc in an inner ear organ, or associated neural structures, of the subject so as to treat or prevent the hearing loss.

Provided is a cell culture method including introducing a factor into cells in a cell culture vessel, and culturing the cells into which the factor has been introduced in the same cell culture vessel. Also provided is a mononuclear cell collection method including treating blood to prepare a treated blood from which erythrocytes have been at least partially removed, diluting the treated blood, causing sedimentation of mononuclear cells contained in the diluted treated blood, removing the supernatant from the diluted treated blood, and collecting the mononuclear cells.

The invention provides cell culture conditions for culturing stem cells, including feeder-free conditions for generating and culturing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). More particularly, the invention provides a culture platform that allows long-term culture of pluripotent cells in a feeder-free environment; reprogramming of cells in a feeder-free environment; single-cell dissociation of pluripotent cells; cell sorting of pluripotent cells; maintenance of an undifferentiated status; improved efficiency of reprogramming; and generation of a naïve pluripotent cell.

Methods and compositions relating to the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are disclosed. For example, induced pluripotent stem cells may be generated from CD34.sup.+ hematopoietic cells, such as human CD34.sup.+ blood progenitor cells, or T cells. Various iPS cell lines are also provided. In certain embodiments, the invention provides novel induced pluripotent stem cells with a genome comprising genetic rearrangement of T cell receptors.

Provided herein are methods of obtaining induced pluripotent stem cells from cells of a hematopoietic lineage.