The Stem Cell Podcast

Епизоде

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  Ep. 328: “Modeling Human Microenvironments” Featuring Dr. Abdullah Khan 18.08.2026 1ч 6мин

  Guest: Dr. Abdullah Khan is an Associate Professor of Tissue Engineering at the University of Oxford and a Group Leader at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. He discusses how his lab engineers complex human tissue models to study the cellular interactions that drive development, aging, and disease. He also explores how multi-organoid systems can model interactions between tissues such as the bone marrow and heart, and how these platforms could advance disease modeling, drug discovery, and preclinical research. Featured Products and Resources: Get a free wallchart on the derivation and applications of hPSCs. Subscribe to ESC & iPSC News to receive all of the latest research, news, jobs, and events in ESC & iPSC research. The Stem Cell Science Round Up Rescuing hPSC Differentiation – A chemical chromatin restoration approach reverses differentiation defects in human pluripotent stem cells, restoring their ability to generate diverse cell types and brain organoids. A Tumor Organoid Atlas – Patient-derived tumor organoids reveal cancer-specific gene dependencies and therapeutic vulnerabilities, providing a resource for advancing precision oncology. Mapping New Cancer Vulnerabilities – CRISPR screening of organoids and spheroids expands the Cancer Dependency Map, revealing cancer vulnerabilities and molecular subtypes missed by traditional cell lines. Building Better Cancer Models – A large collection of next-generation cancer models captures much of the genetic and epigenetic diversity of patient tumors, creating a resource for studying cancer biology and treatment response. Modeling Heart Valve Disease – Human iPSC-derived valve assembloid models heart valve development and reveals how mechanical forces and fluid flow shape valve formation and disease. Heart Valves in the Lab – Stem cell-derived 3D heart valve tissues recapitulate key features of valve maturation and provide a human platform for studying inflammation and calcific valve disease. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Abdullah Khan. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  Ep. 327: “The iPSC Revolution” Featuring Dr. Shinya Yamanaka 05.08.2026 1ч 12мин

  Guest: Nobel Laureate Dr. Shinya Yamanaka is the Director Emeritus of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), President of the CiRA Foundation, Professor at Kyoto University, and Senior Investigator at the Gladstone Institutes. 20 years after the discovery of iPSCs, he discusses how his lab is advancing iPSC therapies toward the clinic while continuing to investigate the basic mechanisms underlying pluripotency, stem cell biology, and translation initiation. He also shares his vision for the future of regenerative medicine, the ethical challenges posed by emerging stem cell technologies, and the opportunities created by combining iPSC with advances such as CRISPR and organoids. Featured Products and Resources: Get a free wallchart on the directed differentiation of hPSCs. Subscribe to STEMCELL Sceince News to stay current with the latest research and news in the fields of immunology and cell biology. The Stem Cell Science Round Up Elephant iPS Cells – Researchers have generated the first induced pluripotent stem cells from Asian elephants, providing a new platform for conservation and disease research. Epigenetic Cell Counter – Intestinal stem cells use an epigenetic division-counting mechanism to precisely control cell fate decisions during tissue maintenance. Reversing Bone Marrow Aging – Long-term vitamin C supplementation partially reverses age-related changes in primate bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell function. Human Heart Atlas – A comprehensive atlas of human cardiac organoids reveals how signaling molecules regulate heart function and identifies pathways linked to heart failure. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Shinya Yamanaka. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  Ep. 326: “ISSCR 2026: On the Ground” 21.07.2026 32мин

  Guest: In July 2026, we attended ISSCR 2026, the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, in Montreal. We spoke with delegates about their research, the scientific advances that stood out to them, and the emerging trends shaping the future of stem cell biology. They also reflect on their own conference highlights and the unique opportunities that meetings like ISSCR provide for collaboration, networking, and scientific discovery. Featured Products and Resources: Strengthen reproducibility in your research with “Applying the ISSCR Standards for Research” Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  Ep. 325: “Live at ISSCR 2026: Scaling and Manufacturing of PSC-Derived Therapies” Featuring Drs. Michael May and Janet Rothberg 14.07.2026 47мин

  Guest: In this special episode recorded live in Montréal, Canada at ISSCR 2026, Dr. Michael May, President and CEO of the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM), and Dr. Janet Rothberg, Senior Director of Process and Analytical Development at CCRM, explore how stem cell discoveries can be translated into commercially viable therapies through scalable manufacturing, company creation, investment, automation, and artificial intelligence. They emphasize the importance of considering manufacturing, quality control, market selection, reimbursement, and the evolving standard of care much earlier in the development process. They also share their vision for a future in which robust bioprocessing, better use of data, and improved regulatory and reimbursement models make iPSC-derived therapies more affordable and widely accessible.  Photo Reference: Courtesy of Drs. Michael May and Janet Rothberg Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  ISSCR 2026: Day 4 12.07.2026 35мин

  Guest: In July 2026, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Montreal, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the final of four episodes from the meeting, where they discuss the challenges of making advanced cell and gene therapies accessible, the latest progress in organoids and regenerative medicine, and the importance of balancing ambitious clinical goals with rigorous scientific evidence. They also reflect on the meeting’s broader themes, from the enduring role of developmental biology and patient advocacy to the achievements of award recipients and the growing integration of new technologies such as AI, machine learning, and advanced imaging in stem cell research. Featured Products and Resources: Get a free wallchart showing how organoids are used as model systems to study infectious diseases, cancer, congenital disorders, and tissue regeneration. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  ISSCR 2026: Day 3 11.07.2026 33мин

  Guest: In July 2026, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Montreal, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the third of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun discuss advances in synthetic biology, organoid engineering, regenerative medicine, developmental biology, and AI-driven approaches to stem cell research. They also reflect on inspiring plenary talks covering topics from pregnancy-associated tissue adaptation and lung development to AI-powered drug discovery, while sharing their excitement about conversations with conference delegates and the rapidly evolving future of the field. Featured Products and Resources: Strengthen reproducibility in your research with Applying the ISSCR Standards for Research, a free, on-demand training course. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  ISSCR 2026: Day 2 10.07.2026 35мин

  Guest: In July 2026, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Montreal, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the second of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun discuss promising stem cell clinical trial updates for Parkinson’s disease, advances in cardiac, thymus, and vascular organoid research, and new technologies that are reshaping developmental biology and regenerative medicine. They also reflect on inspiring patient stories, tributes to stem cell pioneer Sir John Gurdon, and the growing role of AI and engineering in the future of stem cell research. Featured Products and Resources: Explore the possibilities for reproducible, high-quality hPSC differentiation with easy-to-use serum-free kits. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  ISSCR 2026: Day 1 09.07.2026 23мин

  Guest: In July 2026, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Montreal, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the first of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun discuss the opening plenary, major advances in iPSC research, organoids, CRISPR, and space biology, as well as their live podcast recording on translating stem cell research into real-world therapies. They also share their impressions of the meeting, memorable sessions, and the excitement of reconnecting with colleagues and the stem cell community. Featured Products and Resources: Learn about organoid culture from the experts at STEMCELL using the Organoid Information Hub. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  Ep. 324: “From Stem Cells to Living Tissues” Featuring Drs. Yifei Miao and Anca Pasca 07.07.2026 1ч 13мин

  Guest: This special episode, created in partnership with the ISSCR Early Career Advisory Committee, features two rising leaders in stem cell research. Dr. Yifei (Simon) Miao, a Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, discusses engineering vascularized organoids and integrating bioengineering approaches to build more physiologically relevant human tissues. Dr. Anca Pașca, an Assistant Professor at Stanford Medicine, explores how stem cell-derived brain organoids and assembloids are advancing our understanding of neonatal brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders, with the goal of developing new therapies for vulnerable infants. If you’d like to nominate yourself or a colleague for our Early Career Researcher Series, submit your nomination here. Featured Products and Resources: Join us at ISSCR 2026 to discover breakthroughs, technologies, and clinical insights you can take back to your lab. Enter to win 350 US dollars or equivalent toward refreshments to fuel your journal club discussions. The Stem Cell Science Round Up Editing Early Human Development – Base editing of human embryos reveals that NANOG is essential for epiblast formation and human pluripotency. Reprogramming Colorectal Cancer – Loss of GATA6 promotes colorectal cancer liver metastasis by driving multilineage cellular plasticity. Precision Medicine for Pancreatitis – Patient-derived organoids identify chronic pancreatitis subtypes and reveal CFTR modulators as a potential treatment. Tracking Heart Organoids – A wireless cantilever platform enables high-throughput measurement of contractile forces in human cardiac organoids. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Drs. Yifei (Simon) Miao and Anca Pasca Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  Ep. 323: “Building the Blastema” Featuring Dr. Mekayla Storer 23.06.2026 1ч 14мин

  Guest: 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. Featured Products and Resources: Join us at ISSCR and discover breakthroughs, technologies, and clinical insights you can take back to your lab. Kick start your own journal club using our free toolkit equipped with downloadable checklists and templates. The Stem Cell Science Round Up 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 Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
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  Ep. 322: “Healing Hearts with Macrophages” Featuring Dr. Filipa Simões 09.06.2026 1ч 22мин

  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.
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  Ep. 321: “Decoding Blood Stem Cells” Featuring Dr. Vijay Sankaran 26.05.2026 1ч 14мин

  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.
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  Ep. 320: “Cancer Under Pressure” Featuring Dr. Meenal Datta 12.05.2026 1ч 30мин

  Dr. Minal 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.
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  Ep. 319: “Building Better iPSCs” Featuring Dr. Andrew Gaffney 28.04.2026 1ч 11мин

  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.
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  Ep. 318: “Modeling Reproduction and Endocrinology” Featuring Dr. Kotaro Sasaki 14.04.2026 1ч 33мин

  Dr. Kotaro Sasaki is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. 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.
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  Ep. 317: “Engineering the Human Heart” Featuring Dr. Aitor Aguirre 31.03.2026 1ч 21мин

  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.
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  Ep. 316: “Primate Embryogenesis” Featuring Dr. Thorsten Boroviak 17.03.2026 1ч 25мин

  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.
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  Ep. 315: “Advanced Stem Cell-Based Models” Featuring Drs. Shuibing Chen and Hans Clevers 03.03.2026 1ч 12мин

  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, explore how stem cell–derived organoids and other new approach methodologies (NAMs) can complement or replace animal models in preclinical research. The discussion highlights the need for standardization, regulatory alignment, and industry collaboration to improve reproducibility, accelerate drug development, and ultimately create more human-relevant and effective therapies. 
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  Ep. 314: “ISSCR 2026: Real Discoveries, Real Collaboration, Real Potential” Featuring Drs. Fiona Doetsch & Nozomu Yachie 18.02.2026 1ч 11мин

  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.
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  Ep. 313: “Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms” Featuring Dr. Joseph Wu 03.02.2026 1ч 27мин

  Dr. Joseph Wu is a Professor of Medicine and Radiology and the Director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. He talks about the importance of pharmacology knowledge in drug discovery. He also discusses his early iPSC research, investigating vaccine-induced myocarditis, and embracing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).