The Stem Cell Podcast

Dr. Jeanne Loring, Co-founder of Aspen Neuroscience and Professor Emeritus at Scripps Research, shares fascinating insights from her work on autologous cell therapies. She discusses innovative methods for generating gametes from the endangered northern white rhinoceros and the recent successes in Parkinson's disease trials. Loring unveils her project sending stem cells into space, exploring microgravity's effects on neuroscience. She emphasizes the vital need for genetic diversity in iPSC lines and the ethical considerations in stem cell research.

Dr. James Briscoe, a Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute and Editor-In-Chief of Development, dives into spinal cord development. He shares insights on the molecular mechanisms that fuel embryonic research, highlighting the role of neural organoids in simulating human trunk formation. The conversation also touches on advances in RNA sequencing and the development of vascular organoids for studying diseases. Briscoe emphasizes the importance of collaborative research and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.

In June 2025, we attended ISSCR 2025, the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, in Hong Kong. We spoke with delegates about their research, their impressions of the meeting, and the most memorable research presented. They also discussed their experiences exploring Hong Kong. Featured Products and Resources: Wallchart: Reporting Practices for Publishing Results with hPSCs Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Hongkui Deng, Director of the Institute of Stem Cell Research at Peking University, and Dr. Candice Liew, Senior Scientist at Reprogenix Bioscience, share their groundbreaking work on chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs). They discuss a revolutionary patient trial using CiPSC-derived islets for type 1 diabetes and the challenges of immune tolerance. The pair also delve into advancements in chemical reprogramming and their potential to transform regenerative medicine, including innovative strategies for age reversal and enhanced disease treatment.

In June 2025, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hong Kong, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the final of four episodes from the meeting. Sessions focused on cell therapy for spinal cord injury, immunocompatible pig organs, and community engagement. Featured Products and Resources: Are you taking a cell therapy to clinic? Work with a dedicated team that understands the path from bench to bedside. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

In June 2025, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hong Kong, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the third of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun discuss research on cell therapy for inflammatory bowel disease and hearing loss. They also talk about Dr. Jacob Hanna’s work on ex utero embryo culture, Dr. Paola Arlotta’s research on long-term brain organoids, and Di Pan’s insights into sponge regeneration. Featured Products and Resources: Get access to free, on-demand training courses to help you master techniques in hPSC, hematopoietic, organoid, neural, and other specialized cell types. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

In June 2025, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hong Kong, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the second of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun cover talks on animal models of regeneration and the public perception of in vitro gametogenesis. They also discuss work on CiPSCs for Type 1 diabetes therapy and growing pig-human chimeric embryos. 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

In June 2025, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hong Kong, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the first of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun discuss updates from clinical trials for ALS, congenital heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. They also talk about the Presidential Plenary session, chaired by Dr. Valentina Greco. Featured Products and Resources: Start your research confidently with a reliable source of human iPSC products. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Maneesha Inamdar, a leading figure in stem cell science, discusses innovative research in cardiovascular development. She shares insights on using embryo models to explore teratogenicity and the importance of prioritizing ethnically diverse cell lines. The conversation also highlights groundbreaking advancements in vascularized cardiac organoids for drug testing and insights into dilated cardiomyopathy through iPSCs. Inamdar emphasizes the need for global representation in scientific discourse, particularly for Indian scientists, and stresses the ethical considerations in stem cell research.

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