Dr. Mekayla Storer is an Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge and a Principal Investigator at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. She discusses how mammalian digit tips regenerate after injury, focusing on the formation of the blastema and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that distinguish regeneration from scarring. She highlights the role of the extracellular matrix, tissue mechanics, and regenerative microenvironments in directing tissue repair, and explores how insights from digit tip regeneration may inform strategies to promote regeneration in other organs.

Modeling EMT in Human Cells – Scientists have developed a human iPSC-based platform that enables standardized, multimodal analysis of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition dynamics across 2D and 3D contexts.

Modeling Persistent Ebola Infection – Human brain organoids reveal how persistent Ebola virus infection in neural cells drives long-term inflammation and viral evolution.

Reducing Retinal Graft Rejection – Transient JAK inhibition reduces immune rejection of stem cell-derived retinal grafts and improves visual recovery.

Enhancing Renal Regeneration – Targeting ENPP1 with a therapeutic antibody enhances regeneration and restores function after acute kidney injury.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Mekayla Storer

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Dr. Filipa Simões is a Group Leader at the University of Oxford and Co-Director of the Oxford Organoid Hub. She discusses how macrophages shape heart development, repair, and regeneration, and how cellular crosstalk within the cardiac niche influences tissue outcomes after injury. Using zebrafish models, stem cell–derived cardiac organoids, and spatial genomics approaches, she explores the molecular signals that govern macrophage identity and function, with the goal of uncovering new strategies to promote cardiac regeneration and limit fibrosis.

iPSC Therapy for Heart Failure – Engineered heart muscle grafts derived from iPSCs increased heart wall thickness and improved cardiac function in patients with heart failure.

Inflammatory Memory in HSCs – A distinct human HSC subset retains inflammatory memory, influencing blood production, aging, and disease risk.

Organoid-Mediated Vision Recovery – Transplanted human retinal organoids partially restored vision after complete optic nerve transection in rats.

Improving HSPC Gene Therapy – A new selection strategy enriches precisely edited hematopoietic stem cells while reducing unwanted genomic alterations.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Filipa Simões.

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Dr. Vijay Sankaran is a Professor at Harvard Medical School and Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He discusses how his lab uses human genetics and stem cell biology to uncover mechanisms regulating hematopoiesis and blood disease, including the discovery of key regulators such as BCL11A and HOTSCRAMBL. He also explores how advances in genome editing, stem cell engineering, and single-cell genomics are shaping new therapies for disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and leukemia, while highlighting the challenges of translating these breakthroughs into scalable patient treatments.

Building Pancreatic Cancer Models – A stem cell-derived organoid model reveals genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving human pancreatic cancer initiation.

Functional Cancer Stem Cell Assays – Researchers have developed a microwell platform that enables rapid enrichment of breast cancer stem cells for personalized drug testing.

Human Pacemaker Assembloids – A human cardiac assembloid model recreates neural control of pacemaker activity and atrial conduction.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Vijay Sankaran.

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Dr. Meenal Datta is an Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame and leader of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment Mechanics (TIME) Lab. She discusses how mechanical forces within tumors shape cancer progression and immune responses, with a focus on glioblastoma. She highlights how immunomechanics and mechanobiology influence tumor growth, treatment resistance, and immune cell function, and explores how space-based research and microgravity models can uncover new insights and therapeutic strategies for cancer.

Why the Heart Resists Cancer – Researchers have discovered that mechanical load in the heart suppresses cancer cell proliferation via mechanotransduction and chromatin remodeling.

HOTSCRAMBL Shapes Stem Cell Fate – A genetic variant disrupts the lncRNA HOTSCRAMBL, reducing HSC self-renewal and impairing leukemia growth.

AI-Driven Drug Repurposing – Deep learning and organoid screening identified azole drugs that rescue neuronal defects in Leigh syndrome.

Modeling the Menstrual Cycle – An organoid-based model recreates the menstrual cycle and identifies WNT7A as key for endometrial regeneration.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Meenal Datta.

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Dr. Andrew Gaffney is Vice President, iPSC Platform at STEMCELL Technologies. In this episode, he discusses how his team is advancing pluripotent stem cell applications through high-quality iPSC line development, gene editing, organoid production, and GMP manufacturing for translational and clinical use. He also highlights key challenges in the field, including reproducibility, standardization, genetic diversity, and freedom-to-operate considerations, and explains how these factors impact the path from basic research to commercialization.

Transgene-Free Gastrulation Model – Scientists have produced a transgene-free stem cell model that recreates key features of human peri-gastrulation, including germ layer formation and early hematopoiesis.

Engineering Antibody-Producing Stem Cells – CRISPR-edited hematopoietic stem cells generate B cells that produce durable, protective antibodies following vaccination.

Safeguarding Chemical Reprogramming – Investigators have found that p53 is required for efficient chemical reprogramming by maintaining genomic stability and regulating early cell state transitions.

Targeting Barriers to Cardiac Repair – Knockdown of calreticulin enhances cardiac reprogramming and improves heart repair after injury.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Andrew Gaffney

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Dr. Kotaro Sasaki is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, he discusses how his lab uses human pluripotent stem cells to model germ cell development and endocrine organs such as the testis and adrenal gland. He highlights progress toward in vitro gametogenesis, including generating spermatogonial-like cells and reconstructing testicular environments, as well as recent advances in building adrenal organoids with zonal architecture. He also explores the scientific, translational, and ethical challenges of creating functional human gametes, and emphasizes the importance of developmental biology in guiding stem cell-based approaches.

Stage-Specific Cell Competition – Cell competition in gastruloids is stage-specific and driven by relative p53 levels during pluripotency exit.

Modeling Pediatric Brain Tumors – Scientists have enabled robust generation and drug testing of patient-derived pediatric brain tumor organoids.

Immune Reprogramming in Heart Failure – Engineered dendritic cells reduce cardiac fibrosis and improve heart function by modulating immune responses.

Overcoming Hypoxia in Islets – Inhibiting zinc transport enhances stem cell–derived islet survival and function by improving angiogenesis and hypoxia resistance.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Kotaro Sasaki.

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Dr. Aitor Aguirre is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University and Director of the Stem Cell Core. In this episode, he discusses how his lab uses pluripotent stem cells and cardiac organoids to model human heart development and disease. He highlights the role of self-organization and bioengineering in building complex heart models, including assembloids with immune and neural components, and their applications in studying conditions like atrial fibrillation. He also shares perspectives on open science, collaboration, and training the next generation of scientists.

Modeling West Nile Encephalitis – Human cerebral organoids effectively model West Nile virus encephalitis and its associated neuronal damage and inflammation.

New Therapy for Leigh Syndrome – Researchers identified sildenafil as a potential treatment for Leigh syndrome.

Epigenetic Landscapes of Breast Cancer – Patient-derived organoids reveal epigenetic subtypes of breast cancer, including a metastasis-specific group.

Unexpected Totipotency in Hofstenia – Hofstenia embryos retain surprising totipotency and plasticity despite early fate-specifying cleavage.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Aitor Aguirre

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Dr. Thorsten Boroviak is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge and a member of the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. He discusses how stem cell–based embryo models are helping researchers study early human and primate development, including implantation and gastrulation. He also talks about using primate systems such as marmoset to understand human development, the role of biomechanics and extraembryonic tissues in embryogenesis, and the ethical considerations surrounding embryo models and emerging technologies like in vitro gametogenesis.

Mitophagy Controls Blood Stem Cells – Embryonic blood stem cells expand while staying multipotent thanks to tightly controlled ROS levels regulated by developmental mitophagy.

SLC4A3 Variants Drive Arrhythmia Risk – Mutations in SLC4A3 raise intracellular pH in heart cells, which shortens electrical signals and increases the risk of dangerous arrhythmias.

HSC Dynamics After Myeloablation – After chemotherapy, blood stem cells briefly boost differentiation to rebuild the blood system before returning to normal.

Modeling Duchenne Cardiomyopathy – Scientists generated heart organoids from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient stem cells that mimic cardiomyopathy.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Thorsten Boroviak.

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Drs. Shuibing Chen and Hans Clevers, members of the Steering Committee for the ISSCR Consortium on Advanced Stem Cell-Based Models in Drug Discovery and Development, discuss the need to accelerate the responsible integration of stem cell–derived models into preclinical drug development. Their conversation reflects growing regulatory and policy momentum around new approach methodologies (NAMs) and underscores the importance of rigorous standards, regulatory alignment, and cross-sector collaboration to improve reproducibility and advance more predictive, human-relevant therapies.

Building on its long-standing leadership in global standards, ethics, and policy, the ISSCR is uniquely positioned to convene industry, academia, and regulators around this effort. The initiative also reflects the Society’s expanding industry engagement, with industry membership increasing nearly 180% over the past five years – creating new opportunities for strategic partnerships to address shared scientific and translational challenges.

Treating Frailty with Stem Cells – In a clinical trial, mesenchymal stem cell therapy improved walking distance and physical function in older adults with frailty.

Combined Bone & Bone Marrow Organoids – Researchers developed a scalable iPSC-derived bone marrow organoid that models human lympho-myeloid hematopoiesis and disease.

CAR-NK Progenitors Prevent Relapse – Engineered pluripotent stem cell–derived CAR-expressing NK progenitor cells reduced minimal residual disease and prevented relapse in leukemia models following chemotherapy.

Whole-Body Single-Cell Mapping – Scientists have developed a 3D single-cell-resolution map of mouse organs and the whole neonatal body.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Drs. Shuibing Chen and Hans Clevers

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Drs. Fiona Doetsch and Nozomu Yachie, Co-Chairs of the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting Program Committee, join the podcast to discuss what to expect at the upcoming ISSCR 2026 meeting taking place in Montreal, Canada from July 8 – 11, 2026. This is the world’s largest and most comprehensive gathering dedicated to stem cell research and regenerative medicine, bringing together global leaders across basic science, technology development, translational research, and clinical application. They discuss the meeting’s global focus, program highlights, and spotlight the many new invited speakers and expanded opportunities for trainees to present and network.

HCMV Infection and Cholangiocyte Barriers – Scientists show that human cytomegalovirus infection induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition in cholangiocytes.

Cross-Circulation for Liver Failure – Extracorporeal cross-circulation with genetically modified pig livers provided effective temporary liver support with minimal immune response in a human decedent model.

How Sleep Loss Hurts the Gut – Researchers identified a sleep deprivation-responsive neural circuit that controls intestinal stem cell function.

Mapping the Fetal Stem Cell Niche – Scientists demonstrate a central role of hepatoblasts in the regulation of fetal liver hematopoiesis and stem cell maintenance.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Fiona Doetsch and Nozomu Yachie

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