We have developed novel tools to improve our understanding of engraftment using human pluripotent stem cell derived muscle cells.  We have developed non viral platforms to promote improved engraftment in vivo.  We have also developed a bioluminescence imaging platform to evaluate stem cell dynamics in animal mocels of disease.  We have generated reporter systems to identify factors that regulate survival or self-renewal of muscle cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells.  These candidates provide new tools to monitor stem cell engraftment dynamics in vivo and after acute or continuous muscle injury.