The present invention relates to a method of converting human fibroblasts into neural stem cells, and more particularly, to a method of directly converting human fibroblasts into neural stem cells using only a combination of small-molecule compounds without any introduction of a foreign gene, and to the use of the neural stem cells. The method of directly converting human fibroblasts into neural stem cells using only small-molecule compounds without any introduction of a foreign gene makes it possible to obtain genetically stable neural stem cells in an amount sufficient for use in cell therapy by deriving them from human fibroblasts. The neural stem cells obtained according to the method of the present invention can differentiate into functional neural cells and are not tumorigenic. Thus, these neural stem cells are useful as cellular therapeutic agents for treatment of brain diseases.

A process of using a fish plasma component in a nutrient medium for cell culture includes obtaining a fish that is a progeny of domesticated broodstock that are reared under consistent and reproducible conditions. Blood is obtained from the fish, and plasma is separated from the blood. One or more specific components of the plasma are then extracted, and cells are cultured in a nutrient medium using the one or more extracted plasma components, and none of any remainder of the plasma. The plasma and/or the plasma components is/are tested for presence and/or level of endotoxin. Extracting the one or more specific components of the plasma, and/or culturing the cells is only performed if the testing indicates an endotoxin level below a predetermined threshold. The cells cultured using the extracted one or more plasma components are other than fish cells.

A method of treating a mammal with one of a central nervous system injury and a neurodegenerative disorder comprising isolating, culturing, and generating neural progenitor cells from a mammalian placenta, and transplanting the placenta derived neural progenitor cells into a brain of the mammal.

A method of obtaining a pluripotent-like multipotent cell, including providing a cell of a first type which is not a pluripotent-like multipotent cell; contacting the cell of a first type with an agent capable of remodeling the chromatin and/or DNA of the cell; transiently increasing expression of at least one pluripotent gene regulator in the cell of a first type, to a level at which the at least one pluripotent gene regulator is capable of driving transformation of the cell of a first type into the pluripotent-like multipotent cell; and placing or maintaining the cell in a differentiation medium and maintaining intracellular levels of the at least one pluripotent gene regulator for a sufficient period of time to allow a stable pluripotent-like multipotent cell to be obtained; wherein the pluripotent-like multipotent cell so obtained does not exhibit teratoma formation in vivo.

This invention relates to genetic engineering, in particular to an insertion site for a transgene, cells comprising a transgene or other modification at that insertion site, vectors for targeting that insertion site, and methods for creating transgenic cells by insertion or other modification at that site. The insertion site, or “safe harbour locus”, is identified within the SPATA13 gene on human chromosome 13q12.12. Mammalian cells comprising a genetic modification within the SPATA13 gene on chromosome 13q12.12 are described, wherein the modification may be an insertion such as an integrated transgene. Nucleic acid molecules able and adapted to guide the insertion of a transgene to that insertion site are also described. These cells or nucleic acids may be useful in therapy.

Methods and compositions for modifying glycans (e.g., glycans expressed on the surface of live cells or cell particles) are provided herein.

The present disclosure relates to a neural ectodermal lineage cellular structure, and compositions and methods related thereto. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a geometrically isolated neural ectodermal lineage cellular structure (neuruloid) including spatially segregated neuroepithelial cells, sensory placodes, neural crest cells, and epidermal cells having radial organization around a lumen within the neuroepithelial cells. The disclosure also provides methods directed to forming the neural ectodermal lineage cellular structure. The disclosure also provides methods and platforms directed to the neural ectodermal lineage cellular structure.

The present invention relates to a composition for treating a spinal cord injury and provides a composition for treating a spinal cord injury comprising, as an active ingredient, stem cells treated with a particular compound and then cultured.

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.

The present invention relates to a method of preparing induced neural stem cells which are reprogrammed from differentiated cells. The method of producing the induced neural stem cells according to the present invention enables preparation of the induced neural stem cells from non-neuronal cells using only two inducing factors of SOX2 and HMGA2. Therefore, the method of the present invention can prepare induced neural stem cells in a more efficient manner than the conventional methods, which use four or five inducing factors. Additionally, the method of the present invention shows significantly higher inducing efficiency and proliferation capacity than when only a single SOX2 gene is used, thus increasing its potency to be used for therapeutic purposes.