The present application discloses a cell culture media for growth, maintenance and induction of reversion to a less mature state of a cell comprising a MUC1* activating ligand.

Provided herein are methods of producing a distinct bilayer culture of retinal epithelial cells (RPE) with photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor precursor cells (PR/PRP). Further provided herein is a therapy comprising transplantation of the RPE and PR/PRP bilayer as well as methods for testing candidate drugs using the bilayer.

Well-defined, xeno-free culture media which comprise a TGF-beta isoform or the chimera formed between IL6 and the soluble IL6 receptor (IL6RIL6), which are capable of maintaining stem cells, and particularly, human embryonic stem cells, in an undifferentiated state are provided. Also provided are cell cultures comprising the culture media and the stem cells and methods of expanding and deriving embryonic stem cells in such well-defined, xeno-free culture media. In addition, the present invention provides methods of differentiating ESCs or EBs formed therefrom for the generation of lineage specific cells.

The present invention relates to cell culture media supplements or complete media compositions comprising plant-produced heterologous recombinant human albumin, as well as methods of making the cell culture media, and methods of using the supplemented cell culture media to improve viability, productivity, and growth characteristics of cultured cells.

Well-defined, xeno-free culture media which comprise a TGF-beta isoform or the chimera formed between IL6 and the soluble IL6 receptor (IL6RIL6), which are capable of maintaining stem cells, and particularly, human embryonic stem cells, in an undifferentiated state are provided. Also provided are cell cultures comprising the culture media and the stem cells and methods of expanding and deriving embryonic stem cells in such well-defined, xeno-free culture media. In addition, the present invention provides methods of differentiating ESCs or EBs formed therefrom for the generation of lineage specific cells.

Methods for generating human arterial endothelial cells under defined conditions in the absence of insulin are described. In particular, provided herein are efficient, defined, and scalable methods for generating human arterial endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Also provided herein are uses of human arterial endothelial cells obtained according to these methods. For example, methods of treating peripheral arterial disease and methods of screening agents for that effect adhesion of leukocytes to arterial endothelial cells are also provided.

The present invention relates to cell culture media supplements or complete media compositions comprising plant-produced heterologous recombinant human albumin, as well as methods of making the cell culture media, and methods of using the supplemented cell culture media to improve viability, productivity, and growth characteristics of cultured cells.

Provided is a method of preparing induced pluripotent stem cells using a synthetic peptide, and more particularly, to a method of preparing induced pluripotent stem cells using a peptide capable of inhibiting the activity of NF-κB and promoting mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Since undifferentiated multipotent stem cells may be efficiently prepared under xenopathogen-free or feeder cell-free conditions without requiring co-culture with animal serum or xenogeneic cells, the method for preparing the induced pluripotent stem cells using the synthetic peptide according to the present disclosure is very useful for developing stem cell therapeutic agents that are clinically applicable.

A serum free cell culture media, wherein the media is adapted to be conditioned by culturing a first set of eukaryotic cells in the media, wherein the first set of eukaryotic cells use an expression vector to excrete levels of desired complex proteins into the media; wherein said desired complex proteins include human Growth Hormone (hGH), Growth Hormone-like growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, insulin, modified insulins, cytokines, mitogenic proteases and mixtures thereof; and wherein the media is adapted to grow a set of eukaryotic cells.

Methods, kits and compositions for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into cells of endothelial and hematopoietic lineages are disclosed.