Curriculum
Module 15 · 65 min

Stem Cells, Development & Regeneration

Pluripotency, niches, organoids, and what cell therapy can — and cannot — yet do.

CoreClinicalResearch
Topics

What this module covers

  • 01Embryonic vs adult vs induced pluripotent stem cells
  • 02Stem-cell niche concept; HSC, intestinal Lgr5+, neural, mesenchymal
  • 03Reprogramming: OSKM and partial reprogramming
  • 04Organoids and assembloids
  • 05Allogeneic vs autologous cell therapy
  • 06What is approved, what is experimental, what is fraud
Deep dives

Lesson sub-pages

advanced 26 min· 3 refs
iPSC reprogramming: four factors and a new biology
How OSKM rewrites cell identity, what we still don't understand, and where iPSC therapies are real.
Learning objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to

  • L01Distinguish potency states (totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, unipotent).
  • L02Critique a typical 'stem cell clinic' offering and explain its risks.
  • L03Outline the manufacturing chain for an autologous CAR-T therapy.
Expected takeaways

What you should walk away believing

  • →Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the established cell therapy; CAR-T is the second.
  • →Most 'stem-cell clinic' offerings outside HSCT and CAR-T are unproven and often unsafe.
  • →Organoids enable patient-specific drug testing but do not yet replicate full tissue physiology.
Core summary

At the Core level

Stem cells self-renew and differentiate; their behaviour depends on intrinsic transcriptional state and the niche. Pluripotency can be induced from fibroblasts (Yamanaka, 2006) but full clinical realisation has been slower than predicted — a few approved therapies exist, many trials are ongoing, and many marketed treatments are unjustified.

Myth vs reality

Common misconception

Claim

IV mesenchymal stem cells treat orthopaedic, cardiac and neurologic disease.

Reality

MSCs are largely immunomodulatory and rarely engraft. Most marketed indications lack RCT support; many countries have prosecuted clinics for fraud.

Evidence-graded claims

Claims, scored A–F

B
iPSCs and ESCs are functionally equivalent for most uses
Some residual epigenetic memory; but most assays show strong equivalence.
B
Casgevy (CRISPR-edited HSC) cures sickle cell disease
Sustained benefit in long-term follow-up; long-term safety still accruing.
F
IV MSC therapy reverses spinal cord injury
No controlled evidence; many predatory offerings.
Quiz

Check your understanding

Q1. Yamanaka factors are:
Q2. Casgevy is a treatment for:
Flashcards

Lock it in

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Stem-cell niche?
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Suggested reading

Primary literature

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