Patent ID: 8642334

Claim:
A method for inducing differentiation in stem cells, comprising, a) providing: i) a cell culture comprising human pluripotent stem cells, ii) a first inhibitor of Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) protein signaling, wherein said first inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of Noggin, a disulfide-linked homodimer of Noggin, Dorsomorphin, LDN-193189, and mixtures thereof, and iii) a second inhibitor of Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) protein signaling, wherein said second inhibitor is 4-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl] benzamide (SB431542), and b) plating said stem cells in a culture medium, c) contacting said plated pluripotent stem cells within 24-36 hours of said plating with said first inhibitor of Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) protein signaling and said second inhibitor of Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) protein signaling, and d) inducing differentiation of said contacted pluripotent stem cells into a population of cultured neuroectodermal precursor cells.