Metabolic Regulation of Stem Cell Fate

In the field of cellular biology, stem cells have always been central due to their remarkable ability to transform into various types of cells and regenerate tissue. Recent research has highlighted not only traditional signaling pathways but also the significant role of metabolism in guiding stem cell fate, proposing metabolism as a crucial layer of regulation. This emerging perspective reveals that metabolic adjustments within stem and niche cells are not merely passive elements but active players in determining the behavior of the stem cell niche under both normal and diseased states. As we uncover more about how stem cells harness metabolism for self-renewal and differentiation, the potential for medical breakthroughs grows, offering prospects for developing new treatments that address the impacts of metabolic disorders on tissue and organ functionality.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the scientific community's understanding of how metabolic changes influence stem cell behavior during both normal and disease states. It seeks to unravel the mechanisms by which metabolic regulators like mitochondria, lysosomes, and specific pathways such as autophagy and AMPK affect stem cell decisions. Exploration into these areas is crucial, especially for gaining insights into how metabolic processes impact key cellular events like energy production, availability of metabolites, signaling, and epigenetic modifications, contributing to the overall stem cell behavior.

We welcome articles covering but not limited to the following themes:
o The mechanisms behind the metabolic control of stem cells
o Correlation versus causation between metabolism and stem cell fate
o Intrinsic (cell-autonomous) vs systemic metabolic regulation of stem cells
o The role of metabolic organelles in determining stem cell fate
o Pathophysiological changes in metabolism and their impact on stem cell efficacy

These contributions can vary from Original Research to Brief Research Reports and (Mini-) Reviews, enriching our collective understanding and potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies. A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this link.





Topic editor, Andrés Caicedo, is the scientific founder and advisor of Dragon Biomed, an entrepreneurial initiative at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). He also serves as a scientific advisor in the Research and Development department of Luvigix. In these capacities, he offers scientific guidance and expertise, while not engaging in the decision-making processes or operational duties of either company. All other topic editors declare no competing interests regarding the subject of this Research Topic.

Keywords: stem cells, metabolism, mitochondria, autophagy, TOR, AMPK, lysosomes

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.