Described are methods for inducing differentiation of a human embryonic stem cell or a population of human embryonic stem cells toward a cell or population of cells characteristic of the definitive endoderm, the method comprising incubating the cell or population of cells with a GSK-3 inhibitor. Also described are methods for inducing differentiation of a cell or population of cells, characteristic of the definitive endoderm, towards a hepatocyte-like cell or a population of hepatocyte-like cells, and methods for inducing differentiation of a human embryonic stem cell or a population of human embryonic stem cells toward a hepatocyte-like cell or a population of hepatocyte-like cells. Further described are cells obtained by the methods and uses thereof in therapy and toxicity screening.
