Provided is a human-derived sensory neuron induction culture system. A combination of a small molecule inhibitor LY2157299 and a growth factor is added into a serum-free basal medium. Compared with an induction method involving serum, not only is the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells into sensory neurons greatly improved, but the expression of a variety of ion channel proteins is also significantly improved, thereby achieving successful induction of multiple induced pluripotent stem cells from different sources into sensory neurons.

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.

The present invention relates to 3D brain organoids, uses thereof, methods and culture medium for generating such organoids. An aspect of the invention provides brain organoids and methods of generating such organoids with bilaterally symmetric optic vesicles, containing both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types, and exhibiting functional circuitry. These organoids can be generated within short time intervals (e.g., 50 days) and therefore are useful for medical modelling and applications.

Methods for generating cells of the inner ear, e.g., hair cells and supporting cells, from stem cells, e.g., mesenchymal stem cells, are provided, as well as compositions including the inner ear cells. Methods for the therapeutic use of the inner ear cells for the treatment of hearing loss are also described.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells (e.g., human stem cells) into proprioceptors, proprioceptors generated by such methods, and compositions comprising such proprioceptors. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such proprioceptors for preventing and/or treating disorders of proprioceptor neurons and/or neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Friedreich's Ataxia).

Provided is a preparation method for olfactory progenitor cells. Also provided is an olfactory progenitor cell obtained by the method according to the present invention, wherein the single cell of the olfactory progenitor cell can be serially passaged for more than 11 generations. Compared with the prior art, the preparation method for olfactory progenitor cells of the present invention has excellent effects, by which a large quantity of olfactory progenitor cells can be obtained. Moreover, the method is simple and feasible with low cost and good safety, and has a good application prospect in China and abroad.

Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Methods are provided for the production of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells. Additionally provided are compositions of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor cells, as well as methods for the therapeutic use thereof. Exemplary methods may produce substantially pure cultures of photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor cells.

Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Progenitor cells were isolated, purified and expanded using a microfluidic based cell sorting approach. The methods were successfully in purifying cone progenitor cells (CPCs) defined based on a proliferative population expressing cone arrestin and Red/Green (R/G) opsin at greater than 80% using a two multistage approach.