Explore the fundamental biology of stem cells, from how they self-renew and differentiate to how they are classified by potency and origin. Topics include embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells, stem cell niches, signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation, and lineage commitment, with a focus on how this knowledge shapes new therapies.

Sub Topics:

• Embryonic, adult, fetal, and induced pluripotent stem cells
• Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, and unipotent classification
• Mesenchymal, hematopoietic, and neural stem cells
• Cancer stem cells
• Stem cell niches and microenvironment
• Self-renewal, differentiation, and cell fate decisions
• Signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation
• Aging, senescence, and stem cell exhaustion

Clinical trials show whether regenerative therapies are safe and effective in patients. This track invites clinicians, investigators, regulatory experts, and industry researchers to present results from cell, gene, and tissue-based therapies, along with the design, regulatory, manufacturing, and ethical issues involved in bringing them to approval.

Sub-topics:

• Phase I, II, and III trial design for cell therapies
• Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) clinical trials
• iPSC-derived therapies in clinical testing
• CAR-T and other cell-based immunotherapies
• Gene-modified cell therapies
• Trials in cardiac, neurological, orthopedic, and ophthalmic disease
• Diabetes and autoimmune disease trials
• Efficacy endpoints and biomarkers
• Safety monitoring and adverse event reporting
• Patient selection and recruitment
• Regulatory pathways (EMA, FDA, Swissmedic)
• GMP manufacturing for clinical-grade cells
• Ethics, informed consent, and patient safety
• Long-term follow-up and real-world evidence
• Reimbursement and commercialization

Stem cells and the immune system are closely linked, and this connection is opening new ways to treat cancer, autoimmune disease, and transplant complications. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on immune cell engineering, stem cell-derived immune therapies, and how stem cells regulate or reshape immune responses. Abstracts on both laboratory findings and clinical applications are welcome.

Sub-topics:

• CAR-T cell therapy and next-generation CAR designs
• iPSC-derived T cells and NK cells
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• Mesenchymal stem cells and immune modulation
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
• Cancer stem cells and immune evasion
• Tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy resistance
• Dendritic cell vaccines
• Allogeneic “off-the-shelf” cell therapies
• Stem cell therapy for autoimmune diseases
• Immune rejection and tolerance in transplantation
• Gene editing of immune cells (CRISPR)
• Checkpoint inhibitors combined with cell therapy
• Safety challenges, such as cytokine release and neurotoxicity
• Biomarkers and predicting treatment response

Cancer stem cells are a small population of tumor cells that can self-renew and drive tumor growth, spread, and relapse after treatment. Understanding them is key to developing therapies that prevent recurrence. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on the biology of cancer stem cells, their role in resistance to therapy, and new strategies to target them in different cancers. Abstracts on both basic research and clinical applications are welcome.

Sub-topics:

• Identification and markers of cancer stem cells
• Self-renewal and differentiation in tumors
• Tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis
• Cancer stem cell niche and tumor microenvironment
• Therapy resistance and tumor relapse
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
• Signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog)
• Targeted therapies against cancer stem cells
• Immunotherapy and cancer stem cells
• Leukemia stem cells and hematologic cancers
• Breast, colorectal, brain, and lung cancer stem cells
• Tumor organoids and patient-derived models
• Single-cell analysis of tumor heterogeneity
• Liquid biopsy and biomarkers
• Nanotechnology and drug delivery to cancer stem cells
• Clinical trials targeting cancer stem cells

Wound healing is a complex process in which cells, growth factors, and the surrounding tissue work together to restore damaged skin and organs. When this process fails, as in diabetic ulcers, burns, or scarring, patients face serious complications. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on the biology of tissue repair and on new stem cell-based, biomaterial, and bioengineered approaches to improve healing. Abstracts on both laboratory research and clinical applications are welcome.

Sub-topics:

• Phases of wound healing: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling
• Stem cell therapy for chronic and non-healing wounds
• Mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes in wound repair
• Diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers
• Burn injury and skin regeneration
• Scar formation, fibrosis, and keloids
• Skin substitutes and bioengineered grafts
• Hydrogels, scaffolds, and smart wound dressings
• Growth factors and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Angiogenesis and vascular repair
• Inflammation, macrophages, and immune regulation in healing
• Bone, cartilage, and tendon repair
• Nerve and muscle regeneration
• 3D bioprinting of skin and tissues
• Antimicrobial strategies and biofilm control
• Clinical trials and translation of wound therapies

Liver and kidney diseases affect millions of people, and organ transplantation is limited by donor shortages. Regenerative medicine offers new options, from stem cell therapies to bioengineered organs, to repair or replace damaged tissue. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on how these organs regenerate naturally, and on new approaches to restore their function. Abstracts on both laboratory research and clinical applications are welcome.

Sub-topics:

Liver regeneration

• Natural liver regeneration and hepatocyte proliferation
• Stem cell therapy for liver cirrhosis and liver failure
• Hepatocyte transplantation
• iPSC-derived hepatocytes and liver organoids
• Bioartificial liver and decellularized scaffolds
• Fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH) and fibrosis reversal
• Acute liver failure and drug-induced liver injury

Kidney regeneration

• Nephron progenitor cells and kidney development
• Stem cell therapy for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease
• Kidney organoids and disease modeling
• Bioengineered and decellularized kidney scaffolds
• Renal fibrosis and repair mechanisms
• Dialysis alternatives and bioartificial kidney devices
• Exosomes and cell-free therapies

Diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people, and current treatments manage the disease without restoring insulin production. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on stem cell-based therapies, islet replacement, and bioengineering approaches to repair or replace damaged beta cells and treat diabetic complications.

Sub-topics:

• Stem cell-derived insulin-producing beta cells
• iPSC and embryonic stem cell differentiation into islets
• Islet transplantation and donor shortage solutions
• Beta cell regeneration and proliferation
• Immune evasion and hypoimmune cell engineering
• Encapsulation devices and biomaterials
• Immunomodulation in type 1 diabetes
• Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for diabetes
• Gene editing and gene therapy (CRISPR)
• Bioartificial pancreas and 3D bioprinting
• Pancreatic organoids and disease modeling
• Exosomes and cell-free therapies
• Diabetic foot ulcers and wound healing
• Diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy
• Clinical trials of cell therapy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Safety, regulation, and GMP manufacturing

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established treatment for blood cancers, bone marrow failure, and inherited blood and immune disorders. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present advances in transplant techniques, donor selection, complication management, and new cell-based approaches that improve survival and quality of life.

Sub-topics:

• Autologous and allogeneic transplantation
• Bone marrow, peripheral blood, and cord blood stem cells
• Haploidentical and unrelated donor transplants
• HLA matching and donor selection
• Conditioning regimens and reduced-intensity protocols
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention and treatment
• Graft failure and engraftment
• Infections and supportive care after transplant
• Relapse prevention and minimal residual disease
• Transplantation for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma
• HSCT for non-malignant disorders (sickle cell, thalassemia, aplastic anemia)
• Autoimmune disease treatment with HSCT
• Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells
• Gene therapy and gene-edited stem cells (CRISPR)
• CAR-T and cellular therapy after transplant
• Pediatric transplantation
• Long-term follow-up and survivorship
• Cord blood banking and donor registries

Neural stem cells can generate neurons and glial cells, offering new ways to repair the damaged brain and spinal cord. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on neural stem cell biology, disease modeling, and cell-based therapies for neurological disorders and injuries.

Sub-topics:

• Neural stem cell isolation, culture, and differentiation
• iPSC-derived neurons and glial cells
• Adult neurogenesis
• Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Stroke and traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury repair
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis and remyelination
• Epilepsy and cell-based therapy
• Retinal and optic nerve regeneration
• Peripheral nerve repair
• Brain organoids and disease modeling
• Neural tissue engineering and biomaterial scaffolds
• Gene editing in neural cells (CRISPR)
• Exosomes and cell-free therapies
• Neuroinflammation and microglia
• Drug screening using neural cell models
• Clinical trials and safety of neural cell transplantation

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death, and the adult heart has very limited ability to repair itself after injury. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on stem cell therapies, tissue engineering, and other strategies to regenerate damaged heart muscle and restore cardiac function.

Sub-topics:

• Stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction
• Heart failure and cell-based treatment
• iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
• Mesenchymal and cardiac progenitor cells
• Direct cardiac reprogramming
• Cardiac tissue engineering and patches
• Cardiac organoids and heart-on-chip models
• 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue
• Biomaterials, hydrogels, and scaffolds
• Exosomes and cell-free therapies
• Gene therapy and gene editing (CRISPR)
• Angiogenesis and vascular regeneration
• Cardiac fibrosis and remodeling
• Heart valve and vascular tissue engineering
• Arrhythmia risks of transplanted cells
• Delivery methods and cell retention
• Congenital heart disease and pediatric applications
• Clinical trials and translational challenges

Cell signaling pathways control how stem cells self-renew, differentiate, and repair damaged tissue. This track invites researchers to present work on the molecular signals that drive regeneration and how they can be harnessed to improve therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, and BMP signaling
• TGF-β and Hippo/YAP pathways
• Growth factors and cytokines in tissue repair
• Stem cell niche signaling
• Cell fate decisions and lineage commitment
• Epigenetic regulation of regeneration
• Non-coding RNAs and microRNAs
• Extracellular matrix and mechanotransduction
• Paracrine signaling and exosomes
• Inflammation and immune signaling in repair
• Angiogenesis and VEGF signaling
• Metabolic regulation of stem cells
• Aging and cellular senescence
• Cell-cell communication and single-cell analysis
• Signaling dysregulation in cancer and fibrosis
• Small molecules and drug screening for regeneration
• Computational and systems biology models

Orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, bone defects, and tendon injuries are common causes of pain and disability, and current treatments often cannot restore damaged tissue. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on stem cell-based therapies and tissue engineering approaches to repair bone, cartilage, and other musculoskeletal tissues.

Sub-topics:

• Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis
• Cartilage repair and regeneration
• Bone regeneration and fracture healing
• Nonunion and large bone defects
• Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose, and umbilical cord
• Tendon and ligament repair
• Intervertebral disc degeneration and spine disorders
• Osteonecrosis and osteoporosis
• Rotator cuff and meniscus repair
• Muscle regeneration and sports injuries
• Scaffolds, hydrogels, and biomaterials
• 3D bioprinting of bone and cartilage
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and growth factors
• Exosomes and cell-free therapies
• Gene therapy for musculoskeletal disease
• Dental and craniofacial regeneration
• Delivery techniques and surgical applications
• Clinical trials, safety, and regulation

Regenerative medicine is moving from research toward routine clinical care, supported by advances in technology, manufacturing, and regulation. This track invites researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to present emerging ideas, new technologies, and strategies that will shape the next generation of regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in regenerative medicine
• Personalized and precision regenerative therapies
• Next-generation gene editing (base and prime editing)
• Off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapies
• Hypoimmune and universal donor cells
• Organoids and organ-on-chip platforms
• 3D bioprinting of complex tissues and organs
• Bioengineered and transplantable organs
• Xenotransplantation
• Exosomes and cell-free therapies
• Automation and scalable biomanufacturing
• Aging, longevity, and rejuvenation therapies
• Digital health and remote monitoring
• Regulatory frameworks and global harmonization
• Ethics, equity, and access to cell therapies
• Reimbursement, commercialization, and health economics
• Public awareness and unproven clinic regulation
• Industry partnerships and startup innovation

Stem cell research raises important ethical, legal, and social questions, from the source of cells to the safe and fair use of new therapies. This track invites researchers, clinicians, ethicists, and policymakers to present work on responsible research practices and the frameworks that guide the field.

Sub-topics:

• Ethics of embryonic stem cell research
• Informed consent for donors and patients
• Ethical use of iPSCs and donor privacy
• Gene editing ethics and germline modification
• Human embryo models and the 14-day rule
• Chimeras and human-animal research
• Unproven stem cell clinics and patient safety
• Clinical trial ethics and risk-benefit assessment
• Regulatory frameworks and international guidelines
• Cord blood and tissue banking ethics
• Data privacy and biobank governance
• Intellectual property and patenting of stem cell technologies
• Equity, access, and affordability of therapies
• Cultural, religious, and societal perspectives
• Research integrity and reproducibility
• Public engagement and science communication
• Compassionate use and expanded access
• Children and vulnerable populations in research

Translational regenerative medicine bridges laboratory discoveries and clinical treatments for patients. This track invites researchers, clinicians, and industry experts to present work on moving cell, gene, and tissue-based therapies from the bench to the bedside, including the scientific, manufacturing, and regulatory challenges along the way.

Sub-topics:

• Preclinical models and animal studies
• Proof-of-concept and early-phase clinical studies
• Biomarkers and surrogate endpoints
• GMP manufacturing and scale-up
• Quality control and product characterization
• Safety, toxicity, and tumorigenicity testing
• Regulatory pathways (EMA, FDA, Swissmedic)
• Clinical trial design and patient selection
• Cell delivery methods and dosing
• Biomaterials and scaffolds for clinical use
• Gene therapy and gene-modified cell products
• Allogeneic and off-the-shelf therapies
• Academic-industry partnerships
• Funding, commercialization, and technology transfer
• Intellectual property and licensing
• Health economics and reimbursement
• Hospital exemption and compassionate use
• Real-world evidence and long-term follow-up

Producing cells at clinical scale requires reliable, reproducible, and cost-effective manufacturing systems. This track invites researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to present advances in bioreactor design, process development, and quality systems for cell and tissue-based therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Stirred-tank, hollow-fiber, and wave bioreactors
• Scalable expansion of stem cells
• Microcarrier and suspension culture systems
• 3D culture and aggregate-based expansion
• Bioreactors for tissue engineering
• Closed-system and automated manufacturing
• GMP-compliant production and facility design
• Serum-free and xeno-free culture media
• Process monitoring and real-time sensors
• Quality control, release testing, and potency assays
• AI and data-driven process optimization
• Cryopreservation, storage, and cold chain logistics
• Allogeneic and autologous manufacturing models
• Decentralized and point-of-care manufacturing
• Viral vector and gene-modified cell production
• Exosome and extracellular vesicle manufacturing
• Cost reduction and scalability challenges
• Regulatory requirements and standardization

Artificial intelligence is changing how cell therapies are designed, manufactured, and delivered to patients. This track invites researchers, clinicians, and data scientists to present work on machine learning and computational tools that improve discovery, process control, and clinical decision-making in regenerative medicine.

Sub-topics:

• Machine learning for stem cell differentiation prediction
• AI-driven image analysis and cell phenotyping
• Single-cell data analysis and multi-omics integration
• Predictive models for cell quality and potency
• AI-guided manufacturing and process optimization
• Automated and robotic cell culture systems
• Digital twins of cells, tissues, and bioprocesses
• AI in CAR-T and immune cell engineering design
• Gene editing design and off-target prediction
• Drug screening and biomarker discovery with AI
• Patient selection and treatment response prediction
• Clinical trial design and outcome prediction
• Deep learning in organoid and tissue imaging
• Protein and biomaterial design using AI
• Real-time monitoring and quality control
• Large language models in biomedical research
• Data standards, privacy, and model validation
• Regulatory and ethical considerations for AI tools

Nanotechnology offers new tools to guide cell behavior, deliver therapeutic molecules, and build advanced scaffolds for tissue repair. This track invites researchers, engineers, and clinicians to present work on nanomaterials and nanoscale systems that improve the safety and effectiveness of regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Nanoparticles for drug and gene delivery
• Nanofibers and nanostructured scaffolds
• Nanomaterials for bone and cartilage regeneration
• Nanotechnology in wound healing
• Nanoparticle tracking and imaging of stem cells
• Targeted delivery of growth factors
• Exosomes and nanovesicles as therapeutics
• Lipid nanoparticles and mRNA delivery
• Gold, silica, and magnetic nanoparticles
• Graphene and carbon-based nanomaterials
• Nanotopography and control of cell fate
• Nanoparticle-based gene editing delivery
• Smart and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials
• Nanocarriers for cancer stem cell targeting
• Neural and cardiac nanomaterials
• Toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradation
• Scale-up, regulation, and clinical translation

Gene editing tools such as CRISPR allow precise changes to the DNA of stem cells, opening new routes to model diseases and develop therapies. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present advances in editing technologies, delivery methods, and safe clinical applications in stem cells.

Sub-topics:

• CRISPR-Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13 systems
• Base editing and prime editing
• Gene editing in iPSCs and embryonic stem cells
• Editing of hematopoietic stem cells
• Correction of genetic diseases (sickle cell, thalassemia)
• Disease modeling with edited stem cells
• Delivery methods: viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, electroporation
• Off-target effects and genome stability
• Epigenome editing (CRISPRi and CRISPRa)
• CRISPR screens for stem cell fate and function
• Engineering immune cells (CAR-T, NK cells)
• Generation of hypoimmune universal donor cells
• Editing in organoids and tissue models
• Gene therapy clinical trials
• Safety, tumorigenicity, and long-term monitoring
• Ethical and regulatory considerations
• Germline editing debate
• AI tools for guide RNA design

Organoids are three-dimensional, lab-grown tissues that mimic the structure and function of real organs. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on developing, improving, and applying organoids and related mini-organ systems for disease modeling, drug testing, and regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Brain, intestinal, liver, kidney, and lung organoids
• Cardiac and pancreatic organoids
• Retinal and inner ear organoids
• iPSC-derived and adult stem cell-derived organoids
• Tumor organoids and patient-derived models
• Disease modeling and personalized medicine
• Drug screening and toxicity testing
• Vascularization of organoids
• Assembloids and multi-organ systems
• Organ-on-chip and microfluidic platforms
• Bioprinting and engineered organoids
• Hydrogels and extracellular matrix for organoid culture
• Organoid maturation and standardization
• Infectious disease and host-pathogen models
• Single-cell and imaging analysis of organoids
• Organoids for transplantation and regenerative therapy
• AI and automation in organoid research
• Ethical issues, including brain organoids

3D bioprinting uses cells, biomaterials, and growth factors to build tissue structures layer by layer, with the long-term goal of producing transplantable organs. This track invites researchers, engineers, and clinicians to present advances in bioprinting technologies, bioinks, and applications for tissue and organ fabrication.

Sub-topics:

• Extrusion, inkjet, laser-assisted, and light-based bioprinting
• Bioink development and optimization
• Hydrogels and extracellular matrix-based materials
• Printing with stem cells and iPSC-derived cells
• Vascularization and perfusable networks
• Bioprinting of skin, bone, and cartilage
• Cardiac, liver, and kidney tissue printing
• Printing of neural and corneal tissue
• Sacrificial and embedded printing methods
• Bioprinting of organoids and tumor models
• In situ and handheld bioprinting
• 4D printing and shape-changing materials
• Tissue maturation and bioreactor conditioning
• Printed models for drug testing
• AI and imaging in bioprinting design
• Scale-up and printing of whole organs
• Regulation, quality control, and clinical translation
• Ethical considerations and access

Epigenetic mechanisms control which genes are active in stem cells without changing the DNA sequence, shaping how cells maintain identity, differentiate, and repair tissue. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on epigenetic regulation and how it can be used to improve reprogramming, differentiation, and regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• DNA methylation and demethylation in stem cells
• Histone modifications and chromatin remodeling
• Epigenetic regulation of pluripotency
• Epigenetics of iPSC reprogramming
• Epigenetic control of lineage commitment
• Non-coding RNAs and microRNAs
• Long non-coding RNAs in regeneration
• Epigenetic memory in reprogrammed cells
• Epigenetic clocks and cellular aging
• Rejuvenation and partial reprogramming
• Epigenome editing (CRISPRi and CRISPRa)
• Epigenetic changes in cancer stem cells
• Epigenetic drugs and small-molecule modulators
• Environmental and metabolic influences on the epigenome
• Single-cell epigenomics and multi-omics
• Epigenetic stability in cultured cells
• Epigenetic biomarkers for cell quality
• Transgenerational effects and ethical considerations

Tissue engineering combines cells, biomaterials, and bioactive signals to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs. This track invites researchers, engineers, and clinicians to present advances in scaffold design, biomaterial development, and engineered tissues for clinical use.

Sub-topics:

• Natural and synthetic biomaterials
• Hydrogels and injectable biomaterials
• Scaffold design and fabrication
• Decellularized tissues and extracellular matrix
• Electrospinning and nanofibers
• 3D printing of scaffolds and tissue constructs
• Bone and cartilage tissue engineering
• Skin and wound repair constructs
• Cardiovascular and vascular grafts
• Neural tissue engineering
• Muscle, tendon, and ligament engineering
• Dental and craniofacial tissue engineering
• Corneal and ocular tissue engineering
• Vascularization strategies for engineered tissues
• Growth factor delivery and controlled release
• Smart and stimuli-responsive biomaterials
• Bioreactors for tissue maturation
• Biocompatibility, degradation, and immune response
• Mechanical properties and mechanobiology
• Clinical translation and regulatory pathways

Gene regulation determines how stem cells maintain their identity, respond to signals, and choose between self-renewal and differentiation. This track invites researchers to present work on the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms that control gene expression in stem cells and how this knowledge can improve regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Transcription factors in pluripotency and differentiation
• Core pluripotency network (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG)
• Enhancers, promoters, and gene regulatory networks
• Chromatin structure and 3D genome organization
• Epigenetic control of gene expression
• Non-coding RNAs and microRNAs
• Long non-coding RNAs in stem cell fate
• RNA splicing and post-transcriptional regulation
• RNA modifications (m6A) and epitranscriptomics
• Translation control and protein synthesis in stem cells
• Signaling pathways controlling gene expression
• Lineage specification and cell fate decisions
• Reprogramming and transcription factor networks
• Gene expression noise and cell heterogeneity
• Single-cell RNA sequencing and multi-omics
• CRISPR screens for gene function
• Gene regulation in aging and senescence
• Dysregulation in cancer stem cells and disease
• Computational and systems biology models

Cell differentiation is the process by which stem cells become specialized cell types such as neurons, heart cells, or blood cells. This track invites researchers to present work on the molecular, genetic, and environmental mechanisms that control cell fate, and how this knowledge can be used to produce reliable cells for research and therapy.

Sub-topics:

• Lineage commitment and cell fate decisions
• Germ layer formation: ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm
• Directed differentiation protocols for iPSCs and embryonic stem cells
• Signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, BMP, FGF, Hedgehog)
• Transcription factors in differentiation
• Epigenetic regulation of differentiation
• Non-coding RNAs and microRNAs
• Neural, cardiac, hepatic, and pancreatic differentiation
• Hematopoietic and endothelial differentiation
• Osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation
• Muscle and skin differentiation
• Role of the niche and extracellular matrix
• Mechanical cues and mechanotransduction
• Metabolism and differentiation
• Transdifferentiation and direct reprogramming
• Dedifferentiation and plasticity
• Single-cell analysis of differentiation trajectories
• Improving maturation and functional quality of derived cells
• Computational modeling of cell fate

The stem cell niche is the local environment of cells, signals, and matrix that controls whether stem cells rest, self-renew, or differentiate. This track invites researchers to present work on how niche components regulate stem cell behavior in health, aging, and disease, and how niche engineering can improve regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Cellular components of the niche
• Extracellular matrix and its role in stem cell regulation
• Niche signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, BMP)
• Bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell niche
• Intestinal, skin, and muscle stem cell niches
• Neural stem cell niche
• Mechanical forces, stiffness, and mechanotransduction
• Hypoxia and oxygen regulation
• Metabolic and nutrient signals in the niche
• Immune cells and inflammation in the niche
• Vascular and perivascular niches
• Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions
• Paracrine signaling and exosomes
• Niche changes in aging and stem cell exhaustion
• Cancer stem cell niche and tumor microenvironment
• Niche remodeling in injury and repair
• Engineered and artificial niches
• Biomaterials and 3D culture to mimic the niche
• Organoids and niche modeling
• Imaging and single-cell analysis of niches

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells reprogrammed into a pluripotent state, allowing patient-specific cells to be generated for research and therapy. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present advances in reprogramming methods, iPSC differentiation, disease modeling, and clinical applications.

Sub-topics:

• Reprogramming methods and factors
• Non-integrating and footprint-free reprogramming
• Reprogramming efficiency and mechanisms
• Genomic stability and quality control of iPSCs
• Epigenetic memory in iPSCs
• iPSC banking and HLA-matched cell lines
• Directed differentiation into specialized cell types
• iPSC-derived neurons, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes
• iPSC-derived blood and immune cells
• Disease modeling and patient-specific iPSCs
• Drug screening and toxicity testing
• Gene editing in iPSCs (CRISPR)
• iPSC-derived organoids
• Autologous and allogeneic iPSC therapies
• Hypoimmune and universal donor iPSCs
• GMP-grade iPSC manufacturing
• Tumorigenicity and safety concerns
• Clinical trials using iPSC-derived cells
• Aging, rejuvenation, and partial reprogramming
• Ethical and regulatory considerations

Adult stem cells reside in tissues throughout the body, where they replace worn-out cells and repair damage from injury. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on how adult stem cells maintain tissues, how they change with age and disease, and how they can be used in regenerative therapies.

Sub-topics:

• Hematopoietic stem cells and blood homeostasis
• Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose, and umbilical cord
• Neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis
• Intestinal stem cells and gut renewal
• Skin and hair follicle stem cells
• Muscle satellite cells and muscle repair
• Liver progenitor cells and regeneration
• Epithelial stem cells in lung and other organs
• Limbal and corneal stem cells
• Dental pulp and periodontal stem cells
• Quiescence, activation, and self-renewal
• Stem cell niche and tissue homeostasis
• Stem cell aging and exhaustion
• Cellular senescence and tissue decline
• Stem cell plasticity and transdifferentiation
• Injury response and tissue repair
• Lineage tracing and in vivo imaging
• Isolation, expansion, and characterization of adult stem cells
• Clinical applications and therapeutic use
• Adult stem cells in cancer and disease

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can self-renew indefinitely and differentiate into nearly every cell type in the body, making them a key model for development and regenerative medicine. This track invites researchers and clinicians to present work on the biology of pluripotency, ESC differentiation, and their use in research and therapy.

Sub-topics:

• Derivation and culture of embryonic stem cells
• Naive and primed pluripotency
• Core pluripotency network (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG)
• Signaling pathways maintaining pluripotency
• Epigenetic regulation of pluripotency
• Self-renewal and cell cycle control
• Early embryonic development and germ layer formation
• Directed differentiation into specialized cells
• Genomic stability and chromosomal abnormalities
• Comparison of ESCs and iPSCs
• Embryo models and blastoids
• Human embryo research and the 14-day rule
• Disease modeling with ESCs
• Drug screening and toxicity testing
• Gene editing in ESCs (CRISPR)
• GMP-grade ESC lines for clinical use
• ESC-derived cell therapies in clinical trials
• Tumorigenicity and immune rejection
• Ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations