Dr. Ziyuan Guo, an Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, dives into the fascinating world of brain organoids and their role in studying neurological disorders. He shares insights on in vivo reprogramming and cell therapies, mentioning the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells. Guo discusses innovative organoid modeling techniques, particularly for celiac disease, and the challenge of translating research into therapies. He also touches on the unique collaborative environment fostering cutting-edge organoid research at his institution, blending his passions for art and science.

Dr. Irving Weissman, a Stanford University professor credited with isolating mammalian blood-forming stem cells, shares groundbreaking insights on hematopoiesis and cancer. He discusses innovative treatments for metastatic breast cancer and severe combined immunodeficiency. The conversation dives into myeloid bias in aging, the complexities of blood cell development, and the ethical challenges in stem cell research. Weissman also emphasizes the importance of translating scientific discoveries into effective therapies, highlighting the intersection of science, ethics, and commercialization.

In July 2024, we attended ISSCR 2024, the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, in Hamburg, Germany. We spoke with delegates about their research, their impressions of the meeting, and the most memorable research presented. They discussed their experiences in Europe and where they would like to see the meeting go next.

Dr. Davide Marotta is the Program Director for In-Space Biomanufacturing at the International Space Station National Laboratory. Dr. Catriona Jamieson is the Director of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at the University of California, San Diego.  In this special episode recorded in front of a live audience at ISSCR 2024 in Hamburg, Germany, they talk about the opportunities and challenges of working with stem cells in a microgravity environment, and what this could mean for the future of stem cell-based therapies. They discuss the challenges of culturing cells in space, the need for risk reduction and collaboration, and how microgravity affects stem cell growth and aging. They also discuss the opportunities that come with the growing popularity of private spaceflight.

Discover the fascinating intersection of stem cell research and space as scientists explore microgravity's impact on biology. Delve into the ethical dilemmas of fetal tissue research and the urgent need for clear guidelines. Hear about promising advancements in gene therapy for SCID, and inspiring narratives from patient advocates in spinal cord injury treatments. The emotional power of personal stories shines through, reminding us of the real-life implications of scientific progress, as researchers celebrate resilience and the future of stem cell therapy.

In July 2024, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hamburg, Germany, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the third of four episodes from the meeting. Highlights from Day 3 include Dr. Yasuhiro Takashima's work on bilaminoids, Dr. Clive Svendsen's talk on organoid models for ALS, Dr. Sharon Gerecht's research on modeling the microenvironment, and Dr. Katsuhiko Hayashi's work with gonadal organoids.

In July 2024, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hamburg, Germany, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the second of four episodes from the meeting. Highlights from Day 2 include Dr. Helmuth Gehart's work on mesothelioma organoids, Dr. Kyoko Miura's research on aging in naked mole rats, and Dr. Mansi Srivastava's talk on panther worms to study pluripotency during development.

In July 2024, Daylon and Arun attended the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s (ISSCR) annual meeting in Hamburg, Germany, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the first of four episodes, where Daylon and Arun discuss the clinical focus of this year's meeting and the President's Symposium, including Dr. Magdalena Götz's talk on organellar heterogeneity and "moonlighting" proteins. They also talk about sessions on stem cells in low earth orbit and computational biology, including Dr. Jonathan Weissman's work on PerturbSeq and Dr. Matthias Lutolf's work on organoids on chips. Finally, they discuss a session on cultured meat.

Dr. Valentina Greco is the Carolyn Walch Slayman Professor of Genetics and Co-Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women in Medicine at Yale University. Her research focuses on tissue homeostasis in the face of continuous cellular turnover, frequent injuries, and spontaneous mutations. She talks about her research on skin and hair follicle stem cells, the role of imaging techniques, and bridging science and art. She also discusses disease modeling and building an inclusive lab culture.

Dr. Sara Vasconcelos is a Senior Scientist and the John Kitson McIvor Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research at University Health Network. She is also an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. Her lab studies microvascular regeneration in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and are working to develop personalized patient-derived organ-chip models for drug screening and other applications. In this episode, she talks about modeling cardiac fibrosis and studying pancreatic islet vasculature. She also discusses working with microchips and with large animal models.