The Stem Cell Report with Janet Rossant

Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS) is a rare genetic disorder resulting in babies born without a nose, along with eye and reproductive anomalies. Our guests today investigated the developmental basis of this distinct defect using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients with BAMS. They assessed the differentiation potential of BAMS patient-derived iPSCs into cranial placode cells, a group of progenitor cells that contribute to the formation of the nasal epithelium. This allowed them to study the behavior of the nasal epithelial cells during early development. Their work uncovered cellular mechanisms underlying BAMS and provided new insights into the developmental processes that shape the human nose. 
Guests
Shifeng Xue is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She received her Ph.D. in developmental biology from the University of California, San Francisco, where she trained with Maria Barna, and then completed her postdoctoral research at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore. She is the recipient of the 2018 Young Scientist Award of the Singapore National Academy of Science.  
Vanitha Venkoba Rao worked as a Research Fellow at NUS from 2020 to 2025. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from NUS and subsequently held research positions at inStem and Pandorum Technologies in India, before joining the Xue lab.
Host
Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports 
Supporting Document
Cranial placode differentiation defect in individuals born without a nose, Stem Cell Reports, 2026
About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports

About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.
ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Shuangshuang Du, Kym Kilbourne, Megan Koch, Jack Mosher, and Hunter Reed

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by COVID-19 was a leading cause of severe illness and death during the pandemic, driven by an intense innate immune response, hyperinflammation, and a decrease in lymphocytes. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a potential therapeutic option for ARDS due to their ability to modulate the immune system and inflammation. Our guests report results from a Health Canada–regulated Phase I and Phase II trials evaluating freshly cultured umbilical cord–derived MSCs in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS, including assessments of safety, maximum feasible tolerated dose, and preliminary efficacy. Their work explores a therapeutic strategy to improve ARDS outcomes using MSCs, which will be important for optimizing and targeting future cellular therapies.
Guest
Duncan Stewart, MD, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa, Canada
Elmira Safaie Qamsari, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
Host
Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Gairdner Foundation
Supporting Documents
Paper link: Cellular immunotherapy for COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: Results of the CIRCA-19 phase 1 safety and phase 2 randomized controlled trials 
About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports

About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.
ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Shuangshuang Du, Kym Kilbourne, Megan Koch, Jack Mosher, and Hunter Reed

Five years ago, The Stem Cell Report set out with a simple goal: to bring the science, the people, and the stories behind stem cell research into one conversation. Since then, the field has advanced at an extraordinary pace—transforming our understanding of development, disease, and regenerative medicine.
To celebrate, we’re doing something special. In this anniversary episode, we welcome back past guests—scientists, clinicians, and authors—to revisit where their work began, explore how it’s evolved, and look ahead to what’s next.
Guests
Lawrence Goldstein, PhD, University of California San Diego (Emeritus), USA
Charles Murry, MD, PhD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
Clare Parish, PhD, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and University of Melbourne, Australia
Martin Pera, PhD, The Jackson Laboratory, USA 
Host
Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Gairdner Foundation
Previous Podcasts
Parkinson’s Disease, Cell Therapy, and Exercise
Human Fetal Tissue: A Legacy of Biomedical Research Contributions
Mending a Broken Heart 
About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports

About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.
ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Shuangshuang Du, Kym Kilbourne, Megan Koch, Jack Mosher, and Hunter Reed

Our guests today created new lab models to study Merkel cells using mouse whisker tissue cultures, mouse skin organoids, and human skin organoids. These models allowed them to study Merkel cells as they develop, validate the role of known signaling pathways, and even identify some new ones. Their work provides easier access to Merkel cells for future studies including disease models to understand the pathophysiology of these cells.  
Guests
Ying Xiao, PhD, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China 
Chaochen Wang, PhD, Zhejiang University - University of Edinburgh Institute, China
Huipu Yuan, MD, PhD, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
Yajun Zhang, Zhejiang University - University of Edinburgh Institute, China 
Host
Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Gairdner Foundation
Supporting Content
Paper link: An innovative in vitro system unveils IGF1R signaling regulating Merkel cell generation, Stem Cell Reports
About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports

About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.

ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Chief Executive Officer
Shuangshuang Du, Scientific Programs Manager
Yvonne Fisher, Managing Editor, Stem Cell Reports
Kym Kilbourne, Director of Media and Strategic Communications
Megan Koch, Senior Marketing Manager
Jack Mosher, Scientific Director
Hunter Reed, Senior Marketing Coordinator

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are transforming the study of biology and disease by enabling scientists to grow large amounts of specific cell types in the lab that were once difficult to obtain. Our guests today focus on improving the derivation and study of sensory neurons, which are sparse and diverse nerve cells near the spine that carry information like pain, touch, or position of the body to the brain. Damage to these neurons or sensory neuropathies, as can happen in diabetes or infections, is estimated to affect millions of people worldwide, yet treatments are limited. To improve the generation of human sensory neurons, the authors developed a genetic toolkit to fluorescently label these individual cells and their subtypes. This approach enables more precise study of these subtypes, their roles in disease, and potentially the development of treatments for sensory neuropathies. 
Guests
Joriene C. de Nooij, PhD, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, USA
Eti Malka-Gibor, PhD, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, USA 
Host
Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Gairdner Foundation
Supporting Content
Paper link: Derivation and analysis of human somatic sensory neuron subtypes facilitated through fluorescent hPSC reporters," Stem Cell Reports
About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports

About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.

ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Chief Executive Officer
Shuangshuang Du, Scientific Programs Manager
Yvonne Fisher, Managing Editor, Stem Cell Reports
Kym Kilbourne, Director of Media and Strategic Communications
Megan Koch, Senior Marketing Manager
Jack Mosher, Scientific Director
Hunter Reed, Senior Marketing Coordinator