 targeted genetic engineering of human pluripotent cells is a prerequisite for exploiting their full potential . 
 such genetic manipulations can be achieved using site - specific nucleases . here , we engineered transcription activation - like effector nucleases ( talens ) for five distinct genomic loci . at all loci 
 tested we obtained hesc and ipsc single - cell - derived clones carrying transgenic cassettes solely at the talen - specified location . 
 thus , talens mediate site - specific genome modifications in human pluripotent cells with comparable efficiency and precision as zinc finger nucleases ( zfns ) . 
Supplementary Material