Generation of retinal progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cells

This protocol describes a method to generate retinal progenitor cells through embryoid bodies formation and small molecule induction. The efficiency of retinal progenitor derivation from H1 human embryonic stem cells is 80%.  After 3 weeks, some cells express high levels of PAX6 and demonstrate an acquired neuronal phenotype. Upon transplantation into Cre -/- mice, some visual function is restored.