Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are identified that enhance pluripotency reprogramming of somatic cells as well as differentiation of pluripotent cells. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell generation from somatic cells leads to the upregulation and downregulation of identified lncRNAs. The modulation of these lncRNAs are capable of enhancing pluripotency of somatic cells as well as enhancing differentiation of a pluripotent cell.