Regenerative engineering: a review of recent advances and future directions

Regenerative engineering is defined as the convergence of the disciplines of advanced material science, stem cell science, physics, developmental biology and clinical translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. It is an expansion of tissue engineering, which was first developed as a method of repair and restoration of human tissue. In the past three decades, advances in regenerative engineering have made it possible to treat a variety of clinical challenges by utilizing cutting-edge technology currently available to harness the body’s healing and regenerative abilities. The emergence of new information in developmental biology, stem cell science, advanced material science and nanotechnology have provided promising concepts and approaches to regenerate complex tissues and structures.

How Professionals Construct Moral Authority: Expanding Boundaries of Expert Authority in Stem Cell Science

Negotiations over professional boundaries are often contests about controlling technical expertise and authority. Less is known about the role of moral judgments in such contests because well-trained professionals often silence their moral commitments or engage moral debates outside the boundaries of their profession. Drawing on an ethnographic study of a science laboratory at the forefront of moral controversy, this article shows how professionals manage moral challenges by reconfiguring their conventional domain of expert authority to include moral as well as technical expertise. Scientists drew on their plural moral views to develop, apply, and mobilize abstract knowledge about morals as resources to claim authority in debates over the moral definition of their work. Collective learning and collaboration ensured the cohesion of the professional community throughout the process of developing authority despite continued moral pluralism. By unpacking one mechanism for the pursuit of moral authority, the study elaborates our understanding of the moral foundations of professionalism and of the emergence of morally complex work activities.

Stem Cell-Based Disease Modeling and Cell Therapy

Stem cell science is among the fastest moving fields in biology, with many highly promising directions for translatability. To centralize and contextualize some of the latest developments, this Special Issue presents state-of-the-art research of adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and embryonic stem cells as well as cancer stem cells. The studies we include describe efficient differentiation protocols of generation of chondrocytes, adipocytes, and neurons, maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and neurons, dynamic characterization of iPSC-derived 3D cerebral organoids, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and non-viral minicircle vector-based gene modification of stem cells. Different applications of stem cells in disease modeling are described as well. This volume also highlights the most recent developments and applications of stem cells in basic science research and disease treatments.

Contact us for more information: an analysis of public enquiries about stem cells

Aim: This study examines online enquiries received by two prominent stem cell science initiatives operating in different geographical jurisdictions. Materials & methods: Combined quantitative and qualitative analysis undertaken of internet-based queries (n = 1047) received by Stem Cells Australia and EuroStemCell from members of the public over a two-year period (May 2014–2016). Results: Findings reveal striking similarities between the two datasets and highlight the range of uncertainties, priorities and needs of those seeking information about stem cells online. Conclusion: Sustained and in-depth tailored guidance is needed to effectively meet the diverse stem cell-related information-based needs of communities internationally. Such efforts should be prioritized by regenerative medicine research initiatives and organizations, given the trust and hope diverse publics appear to place in these groups.

Overview of Current Regulatory Practices, Challenges & Guidance for Regulation of Stem Cells and Stem Cell Derived Products in India

Stem Cell Science/Regenerative Medicine is perhaps the most important “pillar” out of the four pillars of modern medicine. Use and abuse of the “Stem Cells and Stem Cell derived Products” as therapeutic measure for treatment of several untreatable diseases has come to the fore in recent times. The “stem cells” are drugs as discussed below. In the realm of clinical trials, to be approved by FDA, just as a “drug” undergoes trials, successively via phase I, phase II and phase III trials, likewise stem cells, which are “drugs” per se has to be channeled through the same three phases of clinical trials. There are some evolving regulations in place for regulating stem cell research and its prospective human application in clinical trials which is in place, as per the guidelines of ICSSR 2016. Each and every country, including India has more or less similar rules and regulations which conform to the rules/regulations as proposed by ICSSR and followed by FDA, although many countries has done individual modifications in the same. The role of NAC-SCRT, ICMR, IEC, IC-SCR, DCGI are clearly defined and it has been clearly stated in NGSCR that approval for stem cell application in patients, (Autologous, allogenic, homologous or non-homologous) only within the confines of “clinical trials” and therapy based on Stem Cells and Stem Cell derived Products (SCDP) should be informed in a proper format to the regulatory concern and done through the proper channel. All laboratories and institutes coming under the umbrella of NGSCR should have GMP, GLP and GCP compliant. Appropriate clean room classification shall be followed for stem cell isolation, culturing or manipulation in their respective lab/institutes. The safety and efficacy concerns regarding animal and human applications, uniformity in batch production, strengthening of scientific knowhow should definitely be in line with the cutting edge technological advancements globally. Conformity with international guidelines, and peer reviewed publications are a must for getting approval for clinical trials and marketing options. The review as a whole may not be comprehensive enough to include all the points in relation to the regulatory domain for approving SCDP in our country but an attempt has been made to identify the important points keeping in mind that this domain will evolve and rules and regulations will change with the passage of time.