concurrent sessions

concurrent track: clinical applications

Highlighting integrated gene and cell therapies, tissue niche modulation, advances in modeling cellular complexity for disease treatment, and translating regenerative insights into clinical applications.

Organized by:

*Additional invited and abstract-selected speakers to be determined. Session descriptions and titles may change slightly.

modeling cellular complexity for tissue therapies

sponsored by: Morphocell Therapeutics

Faranak Fattahi, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, USA; ISSCR 2026 Early Career Impact Award Honorable Mention recipient  
Jean Y. Tang, MD, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA

  • This session explores how diseases impact multiple cell types at the organ level and highlight therapies that utilize 3D tissue models to maximize therapeutic potential.

integrating gene and cell approaches for transformative therapies

sponsored by: Aspen Neuroscience

Brian Bigger, PhD, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD, University of Toronto & Toronto Western Hospital, Canada

  • This session highlights cutting-edge strategies that combine gene and cell therapies to treat diseases once considered untreatable. Topics include gene-modified cell therapies and novel delivery of therapeutic agents to repair or replace damaged tissues. 

modulating the tissue niche for therapeutic success

Nobukatsu Sawamoto, MD, PhD, Kyoto University, Japan
Guy Sauvageau, PhD, Institute for Research in Immunology & Cancer, Université de Montréal, Canada 

  • This session examines how engineering the host environment, including overcoming fibrosis, targeting ectopic sites, remodeling native niches, and using encapsulation, can improve cell survival, integration, and cell therapy outcomes. 

tissue repair and regeneration in common diseases 

sponsored by: Kenai Therapeutics

Michael A. Laflamme, MD, PhD, McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Canada 
Hanne Scholz, PhD, Uppsala University and Oslo University Hospital, Sweden

  • This session explores recent advances in cell and gene therapies for common diseases, where success could benefit millions. Topics include overcoming regenerative barriers and developing scalable, accessible therapeutic solutions. 

concurrent track: capturing development

Highlighting advances in stem cell and tissue biology relevant to early development and organ formation, exploring stem cell models of human development and species-specific differences in an evolutionary context.

Organized by:

*Additional invited and abstract-selected speakers to be determined. Session descriptions and titles may change slightly.

systematic and metabolic regulation of development

Ina Sonnen, PhD, Hubrecht Institute, Netherlands

  • This session explores systemic regulation of development, with an emphasis on the metabolic control of early processes and how metabolic crosstalk between cells influences stem cell function and tissue formation. 

germline development and maintenance

Petra Hajkova, PhD, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS), UK 
Erez Raz, PhD, Muenster University, Germany

  • This session explores mechanisms regulating germ cell specification and development, including epigenetic reprogramming and somatic tissue signaling, and examines implications for fertility and health across species

extra-embryonic development

Myriam Hemberger, PhD, University of Calgary, Canada
Kara McKinley, PhD, Harvard University/HHMI, USA; ISSCR 2026 Early Career Impact Award Honorable Mention recipient  

  • This session examines extra-embryonic structures, such as the placenta, through both in vivo studies and stem cell models to deepen our understanding of how these tissues form and function in early development. 

spatial-temporal control of organ formation

Ramkumar Sambasivan, PhD, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, India

Naihe Jing, PhD, Guangzhou National Laboratory, China 

  • This session highlights the role of morphogen gradients in the spatial and temporal regulation of organogenesis and examines how these gradients are reset during regeneration. 

concurrent track: disease modeling and drug discovery

Examining advances in in vivo, in vitro, and in silico disease models to enable drug screening, toxicity assessment, and therapeutic development.

Organized by:

*Additional invited and abstract-selected speakers to be determined. Session descriptions and titles may change slightly.

  • This session explores the biological mechanisms of aging and highlights opportunities for intervention in age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and metabolic disorders. 

precision medicine and drug evaluation

Hongjun Song, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Daniela Cornacchia, PhD, AstraZeneca, Sweden

  • This session focuses on the application of stem cell-based models in drug development and precision medicine, including toxicity testing. 

advanced organoid models

Sasha Mendjan, PhD, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, IMBA, Austria
Samira Musah, PhD, Duke University, USA

  • This session features organoid models that incorporate vascular, immune, and microtissue components to improve physiological relevance in disease modeling. 

new approach methodologies

Sonja Beken, PhD, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
Jinmiao Chen, PhD, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore

  • This session showcases New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) including in vitro and in silico techniques that advance research and accelerate translation. It also features a regulatory perspective on the role of NAMs’ in drug development and safety assessment. 

concurrent track: engineering biology

Showcasing engineering and computational strategies, such as synthetic biology, lab-on-chip systems, and AI, to advance stem cell science, tissue and organ models, and therapeutic innovation.

Organized by:

*Additional invited and abstract-selected speakers to be determined. Session descriptions and titles may change slightly.

tracking cell fate in biological systems

Pulin Li, PhD, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, MIT, USA
Anna Kicheva, PhD, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Austria

  • This session explores how AI, computational modeling, synthetic biology, and live imaging can be used to track and understand the fundamental principles that govern cell fate.  

tissue and organoid engineering

Josef Penninger, MD, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Germany and The University of British Columbia, Canada
Noo Li Jeon, PhD, Seoul National University, Korea

  • This session explores advances in tissue and organoid engineering, including organ-on-chip, organoid and immuno-engineering approaches. 

engineering cell fate in biological systems

Wendell A. Lim, PhD, University of California San Francisco, USA
Peter Zandstra, PhD, FRSC, PEng, The University of British Columbia, Canada

  • This session explores genome engineering and synthetic biology approaches to program cell fate, with a focus on engineering novel stem cell systems. 

biomanufacturing stem cell therapies

Mark Skylar-Scott, PhD, Stanford University, USA
​Morgan Craig, PhD, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Azrieli Research Centre and Université de Montréal, Canada

  • This session highlights technological innovations in 3D bioprinting, nanotechnology, automation, and large-scale culture systems for clinical applications. 

concurrent track: ethics, translation, policy, and impact

Highlighting ISSCR initiatives and proceedings that advance ethical standards and governance frameworks to guide responsible progress in the stem cell field globally.

Speakers to be announced.

sources matter: using representative materials in stem cell research

Jeremy Sugarman, MD, MPH, MA, Johns Hopkins University, USA  
Christine Mummery, PhD, Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands
Andreas Kurtz, PhD, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany 
Dorothy E. Roberts, JD, University of Pennsylvania, USA 

  • This session examines the interrelated scientific and ethical importance of using diverse biological materials in stem cell research from bench to bedside, and how this might ultimately affect future patient outcomes. Speakers will discuss key dimensions of diversity -including genetic ancestry, disease representation, and sex - and how they influence scientific rigor and societal implications of research. The speakers will also describe how to translate these concerns into research practices, including the responsible use of population descriptors and strategies to recruit diverse donors for biobanks.  

in vitro gametogenesis: recent developments in science and policy

R. Alta Charo, JD, University of Wisconsin at Madison, USA 
Katsuhiko Hayashi, PhD, The University of Osaka, Japan 
Zubin Master, PhD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, USA 
Kazuto Kato, PhD, Osaka University, Japan 

  • This session, organized by the ISSCR Public Policy Committee, highlights recent scientific advances in in vitro gametogenesis and explores relevant emerging policy considerations. Speakers will also discuss how researchers can engage in policy discussions and how ISSCR supports members navigating policy debates in their jurisdictions. 

the clinical translation toolkit: IP, CDMOs, and regulatory insights

Andrew Gaffney, PhD, STEMCELL Technologies, Canada
Allison Glasunow, PhD, JD, Sheppard, USA
Melissa K. Carpenter, PhD, Carpenter Consulting Corporation, USA
Tenneille E. Ludwig, PhD, WiCell, USA
Zoe Hewitt, PhD, Regenerative Cell Therapy Consulting Limited, UK  
Ricardo Baptista, Eng, PhD, SmartCella, Sweden 

  • The session provides practical updates and resources for researchers and developers advancing stem cell–based therapies. Speakers will highlight a new publication on Intellectual Property (IP) considerations in PSC therapy development, introduce a CDMO directory available to ISSCR members, and share key regulatory insights from recent meetings with global regulatory agencies. 

ISSCR consortium: stem cell models for drug development

  • Learn about ISSCR’s international, cross-sector consortium to accelerate the responsible adoption of human stem cell-derived models in drug discovery and development. 

strengthening global workforce development in stem cell research and regenerative medicine

Justin Brumbaugh, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
Danielle Spice, PhD, Apiary Therapeutics, Canada

  • In partnership with Canada’s Stem Cell Network, the ISSCR has launched an initiative on Global Workforce Development in Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. This interactive session features updates from the initiative’s international working group and provides an opportunity to share your perspectives on challenges and opportunities for trainee career development.

concurrent track: somatic stem cells

Exploring somatic stem cell homeostasis, aging, regeneration, stem cell–niche interactions, and the role of stem cells in cancer across tissue types.

Organized by:

*Additional invited and abstract-selected speakers to be determined. Session descriptions and titles may change slightly.

transcriptional regulation of somatic stem cells

Yan Song, PhD, Peking University, China
Musa M. Mhlanga, PhD, Radboud Institute for Molecular Lifesciences (RiMLS), Netherlands

  • This session focuses on cell-intrinsic genome regulation in somatic stem cells, including transcriptional control, epigenetic mechanisms, and gene regulatory networks. 

aging and rejuvenation

Longhua Guo, PhD, University of Michigan, USA
Pura Muñoz-Cánoves, PhD, Altos Labs San Diego Institute of Science, USA

Ernest McCulloch Memorial Lecture

  • This session explores the aging process, particularly the decline in regenerative capacity of stem cells with aging and strategies to restore cellular and tissue function. 

cell fate and identity across scales

Sandra Scharaw, PhD, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany
Jacques Drouin, DSc, FRSC, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Canada 

  • This session highlights cutting-edge approaches for visualizing cell state, lineage, and function across molecular, cellular, and tissue scales to dissect cell fate decision and understand how cellular identity are regulated. 

organ function and cross-organ communication

Julia Cordero, PhD, University of Glasgow & the CRUK Institute, UK
Isabel Farinas, PhD, University of Valencia, Spain

  • This session explores the emerging roles of whole-body context and inter-organ communication in maintaining tissue homeostasis and organismal health.