ISSCR News
New Podcast Episode. Tuning the X.
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is an important mechanism in development and disease. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prevalent epigenetic modifications for RNA and has been shown to play critical roles in processes such as embryo development, cancer, and stress responses. Our guests today investigate how m6A regulates X chromosome dosage compensation to ensure proper balance of gene expression from X chromosomes between sexes. X-chromosome dosage compensation is accomplished through two complementary mechanisms. First, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) silences one of the two X chromosomes in female cells. Second, the remaining active X chromosome is transcriptionally upregulated so that its gene expression levels are balanced with those of the autosomes, a process known as X-to-autosome (X-to-A) compensation. The authors dissect the distinct contributions of m6A RNA methylation to XCI versus X-to-A compensation across multiple embryonic lineages, providing deeper insights into the epigenetic regulation of early development.
Stem Cell Reports Seeks Early Career Editors to Join the Editorial Board
Stem Cell Reports, the peer-reviewed, open-access journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), today announced a call for applications to serve on its editorial team, a prestigious opportunity for outstanding, early-career scientists to help shape the future of stem cell publishing. The deadline to apply is 13 March 2026.
Selected members will serve up to a three-year term beginning 1 September 2026, joining a cohort of distinguished early career researchers who will play an active role in the journal’s scientific vision and community engagement. The program is designed to provide hands-on editorial experience, mentorship, and professional visibility within the global stem cell research community.
Happy New Year 2026 To All Members of the ISSCR Community
I sincerely hope that this new year will be a fulfilling and inspiring one for each of you.
As we begin 2026, the world continues to face profound and interrelated challenges—escalating natural disasters driven by climate change, rising geopolitical tensions, and evolving disease landscapes associated with global aging. In the midst of these uncertainties, I am reminded daily of the enduring mission of the ISSCR: to advance stem cell science in order to overcome disease, safeguard human health worldwide, and nurture the next generation of scientists who will carry this mission forward.
Member Spotlight: Xiaokui Zhang, PhD
ISSCR provides an unparalleled global community and evolving standards that bring together scientific excellence, ethical leadership, and collaboration. I value the society’s role in educating patients and convening international dialogue at conferences and symposiums.
Stem Cell Reports Most Downloaded Papers of 2025 Highlight the Breadth and Impact of Stem Cell Research
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today announced the 10 most downloaded papers of 2025 from Stem Cell Reports, its peer-reviewed, open-access journal. Together, these highly read articles reflect the extraordinary scientific range of the field – from foundational mechanisms of pluripotency and differentiation to translational advances in regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and bioethics – and underscore the journal’s role as a trusted platform for impactful stem cell science.
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