Call for papers - Stem cell research

Guest Editors

Yun Chang, PhD, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Xiaojun Lian, PhD, Pennsylvania State University, USA

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 25 June 2025

BMC Methods is opening this Collection on stem cell research, which aims to encompass diverse aspects of the field, ranging from foundational insights such as the isolation and characterization of stem cells to bioengineering applications and clinical and translational advances in cell and gene therapy. We welcome submissions that explore innovative methodologies and novel applications.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Yun Chang, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

Dr Yun Chang is an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Jilin University in 2013 and his PhD from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Purdue University (2019–2024), he joined The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2024. Dr Chang's research focuses on gene editing, targeted stem cell differentiation, and intelligent biomaterials for disease immunotherapy. He has published over 50 papers in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, Nature Review Bioengineering, and Advanced Materials.

Xiaojun Lian, PhD, Pennsylvania State University, USA

Dr Xiaojun Lian is an Associate Professor of biomedical engineering and biology at Penn State. His lab is working on engineering stem cells using modRNA Cas systems to develop new cell-based therapies. Dr Lian received his PhD from University of Wisconsin, focusing on development of new stem cell differentiation protocols. He then moved to Harvard University for postdoc research. Dr Lian's small-molecule cardiomyocyte differentiation method paper was awarded Cozzarelli Prize of the National Academy of Science, representing the best biomedical science paper in 2012 in PNAS. He started his lab at Penn State in 2015. He received several awards from BME society, including Young Innovator Award from CMBE journal, Junior Investigator Award from BMES advanced biomanufacturing meeting, Rising Star Award from BMES cellular and molecular bioengineering conference. Dr Lian also received awards from NIH and NSF, including NIH Trailblazer Award, and NSF CAREER award.

About the Collection

Stem cell research has emerged as a promising field with the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine and disease treatment. Recent advancements include the development of more efficient methods for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can be derived from adult cells and reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. Coupled with breakthroughs in gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, the precision of stem cell modifications has significantly improved, paving the way for targeted therapies for genetic disorders. As a result, stem cells hold immense therapeutic promise for addressing a wide array of medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and diabetes. Additionally, innovations in biomaterials and 3D printing technologies are enhancing the ability to create scaffolds and environments that support stem cell growth and differentiation, which are critical for the successful integration of stem cells into damaged tissues and for the overall effectiveness of regenerative therapies.

This Collection welcomes Methodology and Protocol articles that encompass diverse aspects of stem cell research, ranging from foundational insights such as the isolation and characterization of stem cells to bioengineering applications and clinical and translational advances in cell and gene therapy. Topics of interest include:

Isolation and characterization of stem cells
Generation of iPSCs and iPSC-derived organoids
Development of methods to generate and maintain embryoids and organoids
Applications of stem cells in disease models and therapy
Improvement of reprogramming and gene editing technologies
Novel regenerative therapies using stem cells
Stem cell biology and differentiation
Stem cells in developmental biology
Biomanufacturing and quality control in stem cell research
Cell culture and scaffolds
Tissue bioprinting
Organ-on-chip technology

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of Methodology and Protocol articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Stem cell research" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.