The Stem Cell Podcast

Guests: Dr. Jacqueline Barry is the Chief Clinical Officer at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Dr. Kapil Bharti is a Senior Investigator at the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Jack Mosher is the Scientific Director at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). They discuss their work on the ISSCR’s Best Practices for the Development of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cellular Therapies. They talk about the need for consistency and rigor in cell therapy development, and how the document can be navigated and applied across jurisdictions. (44:59) Featured Products and Resources: ISSCR 2025 is happening June 11-14 in Hong Kong! Enter to win a personalized lab coat! The Stem Cell Science Round Up Gene Editing for a Rare Genetic Disease – A customized lipid nanoparticle-delivered base-editing therapy was used to treat a neonate with severe carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency. (2:00) Digitalized Organoids – An AI-powered pipeline allows for plug-and-play image analysis of diverse 3D cellular structures across multiple imaging resolutions. (13:30) Post-Gastrulation Amnioids – Amnioids mimic the cellular identities, proteome, and metabolome of the human amniotic sac. (24:00) Cerebral Cortex Expansion – A human accelerated region enhancer modulates cortical development by influencing neural progenitor cell behavior. (32:00) Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Margaret Goodell, a leader in regenerative medicine and director at Baylor College, shares her groundbreaking research on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and aging. She discusses her discovery of a unique side population of HSCs and explores the implications of DNMT3A mutations. The conversation dives into clonal hematopoiesis and its relationship with cardiovascular diseases. Goodell also highlights Houston's vibrant research environment, showcasing innovative advancements in stem cell therapies for conditions like Parkinson's and cardiac fibrosis.

Join Dr. Sarah Teichmann, a leading stem cell researcher at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, as she dives into the fascinating world of cell plasticity and the Human Cell Atlas project. Discover how she merges computational techniques with traditional biology and the importance of interdisciplinary teams in advancing research. She also highlights breakthroughs in stem cell therapy for diseases like Parkinson's and innovative organoid technologies. Her insights promise to illuminate the future of personalized medicine!

Professor Hank Greely, a leading bioethics expert at Stanford University, shares insights on his intriguing journey into the field of biomedical ethics. He delves into the ethical implications surrounding organoids and embryo models, raising questions about future reproductive technologies like gametogenesis and ectogenesis. Greely emphasizes the necessity of ethical frameworks as scientific advancements challenge traditional views on genetics and decision-making in reproduction, highlighting the balance between innovation and moral responsibility in modern medicine.

Dr. Scott Younger, Director of Disease Gene Engineering at Children’s Mercy Hospital, dives into the world of functional precision medicine. He reveals how personalized antisense oligonucleotides can reverse disease phenotypes in organoid models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Younger emphasizes the importance of his lab's connections to the rare disease community, fostering collaboration with clinicians. The discussion highlights innovative approaches to personalized therapies, addressing the challenges of accessibility and costs in advanced healthcare.

Guests: Dr. Valentina Greco is the President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), and Professor of Genetics and Co-Chair of the Status of Women in Medicine at Yale University. Dr. Kathryn Cheah is an ISSCR Program Committee Co-Chair and Emeritus Professor and Chair of Biochemistry at Hong Kong University. Dr. Eugenia Piddini is also an ISSCR Program Committee Co-Chair and Professorial Research Fellow in Cell Biology and School Research Director at the University of Bristol. They talk about the upcoming ISSCR 2025 meeting in Hong Kong from June 11-14, 2025. They discuss the meeting’s global focus, program highlights, opportunities for early-career researchers, and what they’re looking forward to in Hong Kong. (37:44) Featured Products and Resources: Submit your abstract for ISSCR 2025! Wallchart: Reporting Practices for Publishing Results with hPSCs The Stem Cell Science Round Up Intestinal Organoids with Enteric Neurons – Researchers transplanted human intestinal organoids into mice, where the organoids matured and demonstrated enteric nervous system function. (2:10) Liver Regeneration and Repair – Hepatic stellate cells regulate hepatocyte functions via R-spondin 3. (11:00) Epithelial Regeneration – The mesenchymal Aspn-producing niche modulates tissue repair by regulating epithelial fetal-like reprogramming. (19:45) Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing – Spotiphy is a computational toolkit that transforms sequencing-based spatially resolved transcriptomics data into whole-transcriptome images with single-cell resolution. (28:55) Images courtesy of the ISSCR Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Robert Zweigerdt, a Principal Investigator at Hannover Medical School, revolutionizes heart research through his work on cardiac differentiation and heart-forming organoids. He explains how these organoids mirror heart development and discusses their potential for regenerative medicine. The conversation also touches on the significance of mentorship and international collaboration in advancing stem cell science, alongside groundbreaking advancements related to mouse embryo modeling and innovative wound healing strategies.

Dr. Giorgia Quadrato, an Assistant Professor at USC, dives into her groundbreaking work on cerebellar organoids. She shares insights on generating these organoids with functional Purkinje cells and discusses the development of a transcriptomic atlas for neural organoids. The conversation sheds light on the advancements and challenges in California's stem cell research landscape. Additionally, Quadrato highlights the potential of organoids in personalized medicine and tumor modeling, emphasizing the crucial role of collaboration and mentorship in scientific progress.

Dr. Andrew Elefanty and Dr. Elizabeth Ng, both leading researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, dive into the captivating world of blood development. They discuss their groundbreaking study on deriving and transplanting hematopoietic stem cells. The duo shares insights on innovative tools for customizing blood stem cells and the importance of collaboration in advancing research. They also highlight the challenges of immune responses in cellular therapies and the potential of engineered tissues for treating blood-related diseases.

Dr. Marius Wernig, a renowned Professor at Stanford University, dives into his pioneering work on reprogramming neuronal cells and developing therapies for brain and skin diseases. He shares insights on the evolution of induced pluripotent stem cells and the innovations in neurological disease modeling. The conversation touches on challenges in neuron transplantation and the therapeutic potential of cell therapy for neurodegenerative conditions. Outside the lab, Wernig reveals his musical talents, showcasing a creative balance between science and art.