ISSCR News
Registration and Abstract Submission Open for “20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future,” 20-22 October 2026, Kyoto, Japan
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today announced that registration and abstract submission are open for the ISSCR International Symposium: 20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future, co-sponsored by the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine. The symposium will take place 20–22 October 2026 in Kyoto, Japan.
Developed in partnership with the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University, the scientific program is chaired by Shinya Yamanaka, recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), an honor he shared with the late Sir John Gurdon.
Immature Brain-Supporting Cells Switch Fate to Restore Blood Flow After Stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, affecting 1 in 4 people during their lifetime. Stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain get clogged or damaged, impairing blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, which leads to death of neurons and other brain cells. Although brain damage can be limited by interventions to restore blood flow, most stroke survivors experience some lifelong impairments of e.g. speech, movement, or cognitive function.
Despite the existence of immature stem cells in the brain, their role in repair is uncertain and the brain’s ability to recover from stroke remains limited. Takakuni Maki, Ken Yasuda, Kazuto Tsukita, and colleagues from Kyoto University, Japan, have now demonstrated that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs)—a well-known immature glial cell type in the brain—can promote new blood vessel formation after stroke under hypoxic conditions. The research was published today in Stem Cell Reports.
Registration and Abstract Submission Are Open For ISSCR 2026 in Montréal 8-11 July
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has opened registration and abstract submission for the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place 8-11 July 2026 in Montréal, Canada. The Global Stem Cell Event will bring together academic and industry leaders driving progress in stem cell science and regenerative medicine.
STEMCELL Technologies will co-sponsor the hallmark event, continuing a valued collaboration that underscores the importance of partnership between science and industry in advancing the field.
The ISSCR Launches Roadmap for Developing Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Therapies
New Guidance Aims to Enhance the Translation of Cell Therapies
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is proud to announce the release of Best Practices for the Development of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cellular Therapies, a comprehensive new resource designed to accelerate the translation of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived therapies into clinical trials and commercial use.
Developed by leading international experts in cell therapy, this groundbreaking document outlines the key principles and decision points required to develop safe, effective, and regulatory compliant PSC-derived products. Organized into seven sections, the guidance offers jurisdictionally neutral information on topics ranging from PSC line selection and raw material use to regulatory considerations, preclinical studies, and clinical trials.
ISSCR Remembers Sir John Gurdon
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) joins the global scientific community in mourning the loss of Nobel Laureate Professor Sir John Gurdon, whose visionary discoveries forever changed our understanding of biology and inspired generations of scientists around the world.
Professor Gurdon’s pioneering nuclear transfer experiments in frogs answered one of the most fundamental questions in biology, whether specialized cells retain the full genetic blueprint of life. His landmark demonstration that the nucleus of a mature cell could direct the development of an entire organism laid the foundation for fundamental advances in stem cell science.
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