Protocol for the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are emerging as a valuable system for modeling tissues and organs. Here, we describe a highly scalable protocol for the differentiation of iPSCs into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), including a new step that makes it easier for researchers to obtain a high-purity culture. We also describe a cryopreservation technique for RPE progenitor cells to enable their storage. The use of cryopreserved cells allows a subsequent reduction in differentiation time compared to the full protocol.