The Portuguese Society for Stem Cells and Cell Therapy (SPCE-TC) stimulates innovation in stem cell research and technologies, as well as the clinical translational of stem cell-based therapies, to the benefit of human health. The main goal of the 11th International Meeting of the SPCE-TC is to gather high-quality researchers coming from academia, health care institutions and industry to discuss the new trends and challenges on the emerging field of stem cell biology and cell-based therapy. The meeting also aims at giving the unique opportunity for younger researchers to network, to exchange ideas and to be inspired by top-level keynote speakers and invited opinion leaders in a truly international environment.

More specifically, the Scientific Program encompasses the current understanding of stem cell reprogramming and advancements in cancer stem cell research, tissue engineering, stem cell transplantation, manipulation of the stem cell genome in a research context, and current trends in regenerative medicine. The meeting will be organized in 5 topics: stem cell specification and regulation, stem cell engineering, stem cells in disease modelling and drug discovery, stem cells in cancer and cell therapy. Concomitant sessions dedicated to clinical translation will also be included and round-table sessions will offer the opportunity to informally debate issues such as bioethical implications of stem cell usage.

This Research Topic aims to collate the latest research, ideas and discussion arising from the meeting and welcomes contributions in the form of full-length original research articles, methods papers and reviews, as well as brief research reports, mini-reviews, perspective and opinion pieces.

Keywords: Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, Cancer Therapy, Specification, Stem Cell Engineering, Disease Modelling

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.