About this Research Topic
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have emerged as a transformative force in the realms of regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery. These cells are generated by reprogramming adult somatic cells to a pluripotent state, granting them the ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body. iPSCs offer unprecedented opportunities for developing personalized cell-based therapies. Because iPSCs can be derived from a patient’s own cells, they hold the promise of creating autologous transplants, thereby minimizing the risk of immune rejection.
One such application is in heart treatment that involves generating iPSCs from a patient’s own cells. These iPSCs are differentiated into cardiomyocytes, the specialized cells that make up heart muscle. These engineered tissues can be used as cardiac patches, implanted onto damaged areas of the heart. Early studies in animal models have shown significant improvements, paving the way for potential human clinical trials.
Another compelling example is its application in Parkinson's disease, a disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. iPSCs can be differentiated into dopamine-producing neurons to replace those lost to the disorder. These neurons, transplanted into the patient's brain, integrating with existing neural networks to restore dopamine production and alleviate symptoms. Early animal studies indicate promising results, with improved motor function. For diabetes, iPSCs can be turned into insulin-producing beta cells to replace those lost in type 1 diabetes. Transplanted into the patient’s pancreas, these cells aim to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. Early studies in animal models have shown that transplanted beta cells can survive, function properly, and restore insulin production.
Furthermore, iPSCs is revolutionizing drug development and disease modeling. Traditional drug testing often relies on animal models, which may not accurately reflect human biology. By reprogramming cells from patients with specific genetic disorders, researchers can produce iPSC-derived cells that accurately mimic the disease conditions. These models are invaluable for understanding diseases even at a cellular level. iPSCs play a critical role by offering a platform for high-throughput screening of new drugs. iPSC-derived cells can be used to test the efficacy and toxicity of compounds in a human-relevant context. This not only accelerates the drug discovery process but also enhances the precision of predicting drug responses.
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive, contemporary collection of research focusing on exploring stem cell engineering. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Data notes, and technical notes, but are not limited to the following:
• Developing innovative approaches to engineer complex tissues and organs for transplantation and regenerative medicine applications.
• Utilizing iPSCs to recreate disease states in vitro, enabling the study of disease mechanisms and screening potential therapeutics.
• Designing biomimetic materials and scaffolds to support stem cell growth, differentiation, and tissue regeneration in engineered constructs.
• Employing genetic engineering techniques to modify stem cells for enhanced therapeutic potential and targeted differentiation.
One such application is in heart treatment that involves generating iPSCs from a patient’s own cells. These iPSCs are differentiated into cardiomyocytes, the specialized cells that make up heart muscle. These engineered tissues can be used as cardiac patches, implanted onto damaged areas of the heart. Early studies in animal models have shown significant improvements, paving the way for potential human clinical trials.
Another compelling example is its application in Parkinson's disease, a disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. iPSCs can be differentiated into dopamine-producing neurons to replace those lost to the disorder. These neurons, transplanted into the patient's brain, integrating with existing neural networks to restore dopamine production and alleviate symptoms. Early animal studies indicate promising results, with improved motor function. For diabetes, iPSCs can be turned into insulin-producing beta cells to replace those lost in type 1 diabetes. Transplanted into the patient’s pancreas, these cells aim to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. Early studies in animal models have shown that transplanted beta cells can survive, function properly, and restore insulin production.
Furthermore, iPSCs is revolutionizing drug development and disease modeling. Traditional drug testing often relies on animal models, which may not accurately reflect human biology. By reprogramming cells from patients with specific genetic disorders, researchers can produce iPSC-derived cells that accurately mimic the disease conditions. These models are invaluable for understanding diseases even at a cellular level. iPSCs play a critical role by offering a platform for high-throughput screening of new drugs. iPSC-derived cells can be used to test the efficacy and toxicity of compounds in a human-relevant context. This not only accelerates the drug discovery process but also enhances the precision of predicting drug responses.
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive, contemporary collection of research focusing on exploring stem cell engineering. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Data notes, and technical notes, but are not limited to the following:
• Developing innovative approaches to engineer complex tissues and organs for transplantation and regenerative medicine applications.
• Utilizing iPSCs to recreate disease states in vitro, enabling the study of disease mechanisms and screening potential therapeutics.
• Designing biomimetic materials and scaffolds to support stem cell growth, differentiation, and tissue regeneration in engineered constructs.
• Employing genetic engineering techniques to modify stem cells for enhanced therapeutic potential and targeted differentiation.
Keywords: Stem cells, iPSCs, Induced pluripotent stem cells, Pluripotent, Multipotent
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