Stem Cells: The Cornerstone of Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells play a central role in regenerative medicine, since they possess the capacity for self renewal and the ability to differentiate into specialized cell types. These properties make them powerful tools for understanding molecular and cellular pathology. Stem cells allow researchers to trace the earliest events that drive tissue degeneration, chronic inflammation, or malignant transformation. They also offer platforms to model disease progression in controlled laboratory systems.

Pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, help researchers study how normal development becomes disrupted during disease. When these cells differentiate, they reveal the molecular signals that guide lineage commitment. Errors in these signals often mirror defects seen in human disorders, such as impaired organogenesis or abnormal cellular aging. By observing these early events, scientists can identify key regulatory genes that maintain cellular stability.

Adult stem cells also contribute to regenerative approaches. These cells reside in tissues and replace damaged or aged cells throughout life. When their renewal capacity weakens, tissue structure becomes compromised. Such decline is seen in disorders that involve chronic injury, fibrotic remodeling, or impaired wound healing. Studying these cells provides insight into how stress, environmental exposure, or mutations alter normal repair processes.

In regenerative medicine, stem cells contribute to cell based therapies that aim to restore function in damaged tissues. Their use supports the development of grafts for cardiac injury, spinal cord trauma, liver failure, and retinal degeneration.

Therefore this topic will focus on stem cell research to dissect disease mechanisms and design targeted therapeutic approaches. Their versatility bridges basic biology and translational science, and their continued study expands the potential of personalized regenerative care. We welcome original research articles, systematic review, meta-analysis, clinical case studies, and review articles, guideline articles, and mini reviews within the scope of the research topic.

The submissions can include but not limited to the following subtopics:

• Molecular signals that guide stem cell differentiation

• Mechanisms of cellular aging in stem cell populations

• Pathways that control tissue specific stem cell renewal

• Stem cell based modeling of genetic and metabolic disorders

• Organoid systems for studying complex multicellular pathology

• Immune responses to stem cell derived grafts

• Strategies to enhance integration of regenerative cell therapies

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Stem Cells, Regenerative Medicine, induced pluripotent stem cells, organoid

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.