ISSCR News
Stem Cell Reports Announces Five New Early Career Editors
The ISSCR has selected five distinguished early career scientists to serve as new Early Career Editors for Stem Cell Reports, the peer-reviewed, open access, online journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).
During their term, Early Career Editors provide strategic advice, participate in the editorial review process, and receive mentorship from current editors. They join other Early Career Editors currently working with the journal.
Hideyuki Okano Starts New Position as President of the ISSCR
The ISSCR is delighted to announce Hideyuki Okano, MD, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, as well as former Dean of the Keio University School of Medicine in Japan, as its President. His term of office begins today.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the next President of the ISSCR, a Society that has shaped my scientific journey and fostered countless connections across disciplines and borders,” said Prof. Okano. “As stem cell research accelerates from fundamental biology to translational and clinical research, our responsibility is to anchor this progress in the core principles of our field. Just as stem cells are defined by their multipotency and self-renewal, so too must the ISSCR champion inclusive excellence and cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders. Together, we will continue to advance discovery, strengthen ethical leadership, and ensure that the transformative promise of stem cell science benefits the world.”
Muscle in Space Sheds Light on Aging-Related Muscle Loss
To understand the changes of muscle in microgravity, Siobhan Malany, Maddalena Parafati, and their team from the University of Florida, USA, engineered skeletal muscle microtissues from donor biopsies and launched them to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX CRS-25. Their findings were published today in Stem Cell Reports.
ISSCR Remembers Pete Coffey
The global stem cell community mourns the loss of Professor Pete Coffey, a world-renowned eye researcher. Professor Coffey pioneered regenerative treatments for vision loss, including the landmark London Project to Cure Blindness, and authored key studies demonstrating the potential of stem cell-derived therapies for age-related macular degeneration. His groundbreaking 2018 clinical study, published in Nature Biotechnology, provided the first convincing evidence of restored vision using a transplanted pluripotent stem cell product. Widely recognized for his contributions, he received numerous awards, including the CIRM Leadership Award and the Robertson Stem Cell Prize. Professor Coffey passed away last week following a long illness. Dr. Coffey was an active ISSCR member contributing to advocacy efforts on behalf of the field and presenting his work at ISSCR meetings.
ISSCR Remembers James Till
The global stem cell community remembers the life and profound contributions of James Till, who passed away on May 18 at the age of 94. Alongside the late Ernest McCulloch, Dr. Till conducted pioneering research in the 1960s that proved the existence of stem cells, laying the groundwork for bone marrow transplantation, regenerative medicine, and stem cell-based therapies. His transformative discoveries revolutionized biomedical science by identifying blood-forming stem cells and the principle of self-renewal. A dedicated educator and leader, Dr. Till also advanced research in cancer care ethics and patient decision-making. His legacy endures through the many accolades he received and the global impact of his scientific vision and mentorship.
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