Recombinant human BMP-4 can be used for the differentiation of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, as in into cells of the endodermal and mesodermal lineage or into hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 belongs to the TGF-β superfamily and has diverse pivotal roles during bone and cartilage formation, tissue repair, or organ and neuronal development. BMP-4 recombinant protein can ideally be used for functional assays, cell culture, and differentiation studies.