Stem Cells In-Depth Focus 2015

• The differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells
  Yu Wang and David Hay, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh
  Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can give rise to all cell types found in the human body. In theory, the self-renewal and differentiation properties of PSCs offer the prospect of unlimited amounts of human somatic cells for application. PSC usage is now common place throughout the world, with promising models of human ‘in a dish’ and cell-based therapies likely to have significant impact on modern medicine…
• Computational methods for small molecule selection in stem cell differentiation
  Andreas Bender and Yasaman Kalantar Motamedi, University of Cambridge / Maryam Peymani and Mohammad Hossein, Nasr-Esfahani Royan Institute, Isfahan
  The utilisation of stem cells for regenerative medicine has gained significant interest in recent years, in disease areas as diverse as cardiovascular, diabetes, central nervous system and ophthalmology. However, while genetic methods such as transcription factors are able to differenciate pluripotent stem cells into a variety of cell types and tissues, processes are often still rather unspecific and inefficient. The utilisation of small molecules has helped advance the field considerably; however, the question remains of how to rationally select small molecules to steer specificity and yield of differentation. In this review, we will illustrate how computational (‘in silico’) methods can help to rationally choose bioactive small molecules to improve stem cell differentiation in the desired way…
• Stem Cells Roundtable
  Featuring: Kristina Runeberg, Site Head/Senior Director, Business Development, Takara Clontech / Eugenia Jones PhD, MyCell® Products Manager, Cellular Dynamics / Mark A. Gerber, Jr. PhD, Principal R&D Scientist, Cell Design Studio, Sigma-Aldrich
  Moderated by Dr David Hay, Principal Investigator, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh…