Princeton University

Christoph Schaniel

Ihor R Lemischka

Ron Weiss

Patrick Guye

Miles Miller

Patrick Paddison

Priscilla E M Purnick

Feng Li

Priscilla Purnick

Xenla Schafer

The present invention provides compositions and methods for programming mammalian cells to perform desired functions. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for programming stem cells to differentiate into a desired cell type. A quorum sensing systems that regulates the expression of cell fate regulators is introduced into mammalian host cells, such as stem cells. The quorum sensing systems generally comprises vectors that express the components of a bacterial quorum sensing pathway, including proteins which catalyze the synthesis of an autoinducer and a gene encoding a regulatory partner of the autoinducer, and vectors in which genes encoding cell fate regulators are operably linked to a promoter induced by the autoinducer/regulatory partner complex. The system can also comprise vectors in which genes encoding additional cell fate regulators are operably linked to a promoter that is induced by a factor synthesized in response to a first stage of differentiation, so that a second stage of differentiation is triggered.

Engineered cellular pathways for programmed autoregulation of differentiation

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for assaying embryonic stem cell maintenance. In particular, the present invention provides reporter constructs for stem cell pluripotency and differentiation and cells and organisms containing such constructs.

Embryonic stem cell self maintenance and renewal reporter

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New York, NY, United States of America

Christoph Schaniel