Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Substrate stiffness regulates cell fate and its applications in the repair of motor system: From two dimensions to three dimensions

Abstract Stiffness is a key mechanical cue of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and biomaterials in tissue engineering. It plays a pivotal role in regulating cellular behaviors and determining cell fate through specific mechanotransduction pathways, including integrin‐mediated signa...

Regional signaling controls stem cell-mediated regeneration in an invertebrate chordate

Many tissues harbor quiescent stem cells that activate after injury, yet how local signals regulate this transition is not well understood. The solitary ascidian Ciona robusta provides a unique model, as bottom body fragments regenerate while upper fragments fail to do so. By com...

Wnt2bb-triggered neighbor cell proliferation is essential for cloaca formation by inducing apoptosis in the cloaca through cell competition

Cloaca serves as the only opening for the digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts in multiple species. Apoptosis is crucial for shaping the cloaca, yet the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclarified. Here we find that Wnt2bb-triggered neighbor cell proliferation is esse...

A Secret-Shopper Study Evaluating Logistic Barriers to Care Among Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) experience inferior survival relative to children. As access barriers may increase outcome disparities, we conducted a secret-shopper study to identify logistical burdens when initiating care for...

Fragment-Based Discovery of BRD4-BD2 Selective Binders: Biophysical Validation and Structural Insights for Domain-Selective Inhibitor Design

Abstract BRD4, a member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of epigenetic readers, plays a central role in transcriptional regulation and is implicated in a wide spectrum of diseases. Although BRD4 inhibitors targeting both bromodomains have advanced into clinical...

Innate immune sensor NOD2 promotes cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis progression by stabilizing TRAF6 in chondrocytes

Inflammation driven by the innate immune response plays a crucial role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Moreover, current antiinflammatory therapies primarily offer symptomatic relief without altering disease progr...

Deconstruction of Human Age‐Related Cataract Capsules Defines Aging

ABSTRACT Age‐related cataracts (ARC), a disease associated with aging, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. To better understand the heterogeneous pathogenesis of ARC and identify potential therapeutic targets, we generate a comprehensive atlas of age‐related cataracts at...