The Stem Cell Podcast

Guest: Professor Hank Greely is the Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law and Professor, by courtesy, of Genetics at Stanford University. He is also the Director of the Stanford Center for Law and the Biosciences. He talks about his career path into bioethics and ethical considerations for organoids, bodyoids, and embryo models. He also discusses the potential future of reproduction, including gametogenesis, ectogenesis, and genetic selection and editing of embryos. (35:47) Featured Products and Resources: Register now for ISSCR 2025, happening June 11-15 in Hong Kong! Register now to complete a virtual training course on pluripotent stem cell quality and maintenance. The Stem Cell Science Round Up Somatosensory Assembloids – A four-part assembloid integrates somatosensory, spinal, thalamic and cortical organoids to model the spinothalamic pathway. (1:25) Neural Grafts for Parkinson’s Disease – Cloaked human neural grafts evade immune detection in humanized mouse model. (11:00) Neural Stem Cells Outside the Central Nervous System – Peripheral neural stem cells display features similar to brain neural stem cells, including the ability to differentiate into mature neurons. (19:00) Cell Therapy for Kidney Disease – Expanded hiPSC-derived nephron progenitor cells may be useful cell therapies for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. (28:00) Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

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.

Dr. Jonathan Thomas, President and CEO of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), shares his insights on funding vital stem cell research. He discusses the importance of diversity in clinical trials to make treatments accessible. JT reflects on CIRM's 20-year journey in advancing research and training future scientists. The conversation also dives into balancing support between basic and clinical research, along with CIRM's strategic shift post-Proposition 14 to navigate the evolving landscape of regenerative medicine.

Dr. Milica Radisic, a Professor at the University of Toronto and Canada Research Chair, dives into the innovative realm of organ chip engineering. She shares the exciting challenges of maturing cardiomyocytes using macrophages to improve cardiac tissue function. Milica discusses the sustainability issues with microfluidic chips and how her lab's models are reducing reliance on lab animals. As a burgeoning entrepreneur, she reflects on her journey and the landscape for women in business, offering valuable insights from her mentor, Dr. Bob Langer.

Dr. Cynthia Dunbar, a distinguished investigator at the NIH, dives into the fascinating world of hematopoiesis and aging, using macaques as an innovative model. She discusses groundbreaking research on transplanting iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, alongside the ethical considerations of using primate models. The unique NIH environment fosters collaboration in stem cell research, enhancing both clinical applications and personalized medicine. Outside the lab, Cindy's musical talents add a delightful twist to her scientific journey.