Recent advances in stem cell and cellular reprogramming methods allow generation of human neural cells for modeling and studying neurodegenerative disorders using patient-derived cells. Meanwhile, it is critical to keep in mind that most forms of neurodegenerative disorders are late-onset. This notion necessitates the critical evaluation and identification of marks intrinsic in aged neural cells, a point often overlooked when modeling adult-onset disorders. For instance, human neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain the characteristics of fetal neurons, due to the nature of embryonic state in iPSCs. What are the potential approaches to overcome the challenge of studying aging, using stem cells?
Identifying epigenetic and genetic marks in aged cells is an evolving field of research. We open a platform to gather reviews and original articles, by investigators who are leaders in the field, to guide what they see as critical components that need to be examined in human stem cells or differentiated neural cell types for studying aging and neurodegeneration. This will provide invaluable insights in the field of aging and neurodegeneration. By invoking such discussions, it is possible to come to an agreement among researchers, on what should be the “gold standard”, that needs to be considered for studying neuronal aging and age-associated diseases, using human stem cells.
We welcome articles that will address critical questions such as:
• What are the implications of epigenetic marks (DNA methylation and histone modifications) in aged human cells?
• What are the experimental approaches one can take to accelerate the aging in human stem cells and differentiated neural cells?
• What are the experimental approaches one can take to link the dynamics of epigenetic marks with that of cellular homeostasis and function such as stress responses and neuronal activity?
• What are the implications of epigenetic marks on using human stem cells in complex systems such as synapses reconstituted in microfluidic devices and 3D/organoid models?
• What are the critical epigenetic hallmarks for cell transplantation-based approaches?
Recent advances in stem cell and cellular reprogramming methods allow generation of human neural cells for modeling and studying neurodegenerative disorders using patient-derived cells. Meanwhile, it is critical to keep in mind that most forms of neurodegenerative disorders are late-onset. This notion necessitates the critical evaluation and identification of marks intrinsic in aged neural cells, a point often overlooked when modeling adult-onset disorders. For instance, human neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain the characteristics of fetal neurons, due to the nature of embryonic state in iPSCs. What are the potential approaches to overcome the challenge of studying aging, using stem cells?
Identifying epigenetic and genetic marks in aged cells is an evolving field of research. We open a platform to gather reviews and original articles, by investigators who are leaders in the field, to guide what they see as critical components that need to be examined in human stem cells or differentiated neural cell types for studying aging and neurodegeneration. This will provide invaluable insights in the field of aging and neurodegeneration. By invoking such discussions, it is possible to come to an agreement among researchers, on what should be the “gold standard”, that needs to be considered for studying neuronal aging and age-associated diseases, using human stem cells.
We welcome articles that will address critical questions such as:
• What are the implications of epigenetic marks (DNA methylation and histone modifications) in aged human cells?
• What are the experimental approaches one can take to accelerate the aging in human stem cells and differentiated neural cells?
• What are the experimental approaches one can take to link the dynamics of epigenetic marks with that of cellular homeostasis and function such as stress responses and neuronal activity?
• What are the implications of epigenetic marks on using human stem cells in complex systems such as synapses reconstituted in microfluidic devices and 3D/organoid models?
• What are the critical epigenetic hallmarks for cell transplantation-based approaches?
