The Stem Cell Podcast

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.

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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









































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Guest:

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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The Stem Cell Science Round Up

iPSC Therapy for Heart Failure – Engineered heart muscle grafts derived from iPSCs increased heart wall thickness and improved cardiac function in patients with heart failure.

Inflammatory Memory in HSCs – A distinct human HSC subset retains inflammatory memory, influencing blood production, aging, and disease risk.

Organoid-Mediated Vision Recovery – Transplanted human retinal organoids partially restored vision after complete optic nerve transection in rats.

Improving HSPC Gene Therapy – A new selection strategy enriches precisely edited hematopoietic stem cells while reducing unwanted genomic alterations.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Filipa Simões.









































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Guest:

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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The Stem Cell Science Round Up

Building Pancreatic Cancer Models – A stem cell-derived organoid model reveals genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving human pancreatic cancer initiation.

Functional Cancer Stem Cell Assays – Researchers have developed a microwell platform that enables rapid enrichment of breast cancer stem cells for personalized drug testing.

Human Pacemaker Assembloids – A human cardiac assembloid model recreates neural control of pacemaker activity and atrial conduction.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Vijay Sankaran.









































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Guest:

Dr. Meenal 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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The Stem Cell Science Round Up

Why the Heart Resists Cancer – Researchers have discovered that mechanical load in the heart suppresses cancer cell proliferation via mechanotransduction and chromatin remodeling.

HOTSCRAMBL Shapes Stem Cell Fate – A genetic variant disrupts the lncRNA HOTSCRAMBL, reducing HSC self-renewal and impairing leukemia growth.

AI-Driven Drug Repurposing – Deep learning and organoid screening identified azole drugs that rescue neuronal defects in Leigh syndrome.

Modeling the Menstrual Cycle – An organoid-based model recreates the menstrual cycle and identifies WNT7A as key for endometrial regeneration.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Meenal Datta.









































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Guest:

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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The Stem Cell Science Round Up

Transgene-Free Gastrulation Model – Scientists have produced a transgene-free stem cell model that recreates key features of human peri-gastrulation, including germ layer formation and early hematopoiesis.

Engineering Antibody-Producing Stem Cells – CRISPR-edited hematopoietic stem cells generate B cells that produce durable, protective antibodies following vaccination.

Safeguarding Chemical Reprogramming – Investigators have found that p53 is required for efficient chemical reprogramming by maintaining genomic stability and regulating early cell state transitions.

Targeting Barriers to Cardiac Repair – Knockdown of calreticulin enhances cardiac reprogramming and improves heart repair after injury.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Andrew Gaffney









































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