ISSCR News
Scientists Use Stem Cells to Move Closer to Large-Scale Manufacturing of Platelets
Platelets are small, disc-shaped cell fragments in the blood that are essential to stop bleeding and to initiate blood clotting after injury. Platelet transfusions in patients with severe trauma or medical conditions, including bone marrow disease, leukemia, or sepsis, can be lifesaving. Despite being a standard clinical practice, platelet transfusions face issues related to the availability of blood donations from which platelets are isolated, the relatively short shelf life of purified platelets, and the risk of an immune response in patients receiving platelets from unmatched donors.
The ISSCR Holds Second Meeting With UK Regulators on the Use of AI to Develop Stem Cell Therapies
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) held its second Broader Scope Scientific Advice meeting with the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on October 29, 2025, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing stem cell therapies.
The session explored key topics including the current state and challenges of AI, machine learning, and digitalization systems for automation in cell and gene therapy; applications of AI in autologous iPSC-derived RPE cell therapy; and AI-based image analysis for in-process characterization and decision-making during iPSC generation.
The ISSCR Guide To Stem Cell Treatments Now Available in Portuguese
The ISSCR is now pleased to make the Guide to Stem Cell Treatments available in Portuguese. The comprehensive resource is designed to empower patients, advocates, healthcare providers, friends, and family members with the necessary information to make well-informed decisions regarding stem cell treatments, alongside their primary care physicians or specialists.
The translation of this guide was provided by Inês Figueira, José Manuel Inácio, Liliana Bernardino, Ana Paula Terrasso, Susana Solá, Maria Arez and João Camões dos Santos.
The new version is available for download and sharing is encouraged to help raise awareness and understanding of stem cell treatments. Together, we can contribute to the safe and effective delivery of the potential that stem cell research holds for patients worldwide.
Delivering Impact as Stem Cell Technologies Advance
In early November, I attended a gene and cell therapy meeting in Los Angeles, USA where the city was still celebrating the L.A. Dodgers’ World Series championship. Amid that energy, I engaged in lively discussions with ISSCR members and leading scientists from around the world. The atmosphere—intense and exhilarating—was reminiscent of a championship game itself. It was clear that advances in stem cell and gene-editing technologies are rapidly accelerating translational research and its societal impact.
Member Spotlight: Catharina Brandsten, PhD, DDS
The ISSCR has played an important role for me in terms of networking and connecting with other stem cell scientists around the world. Priceless!
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