Generating predictive human liver models from pluripotent stem cells

Despite the major progress in the management of the human liver disease, the only cure for a critically failing organ is liver transplantation. While a highly successful approach, the use of cadaveric organs as a routine treatment option is severely limited by the organ availability. Therefore, the use of cell based therapies has been explored to provide liver support for the failing organ. In addition to cell based therapies, there is also an imperative to develop better human models ‘in a dish’. Such approaches will undoubtedly lead to a better understanding behind the disease process offering new treatment or preventative strategies. With both approaches in mind, we have developed robust hepatocyte differentiation methodology for use with pluripotent stem cells. Importantly, our procedure is highly efficient (>90%) and delivers active, drug –inducible, and predictive human hepatocyte populations.