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

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

The field of paleogenomics is a crucial approach to understanding the evolutionary histories of organisms through the analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA). By utilizing techniques such as genomic sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS), researchers can extract and analyze genetic material from extinct and extant species, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships.

Advancements in paleogenomic methods have transformed our capacity to explore evolutionary history, yielding insights that were previously unattainable. The development of sophisticated DNA extraction techniques and improved sequencing technologies has enabled the recovery of aDNA from increasingly degraded samples. Furthermore, innovative phylogenetic analyses allow for the reconstruction of genetic relationships among extinct species and their living relatives, offering a more nuanced understanding of evolutionary histories and migration. These advances not only enhance our knowledge of biodiversity and extinction but also inform conservation efforts for endangered species.

Future research in paleogenomics has the potential of revealing deeper insights into the evolutionary past. This Collection aims to showcase a variety of methodologies and applications within the realm of paleogenomics, and topics of interest include:

Applications of ancient DNA in evolutionary studies

Next-generation sequencing techniques for paleogenomics

Methods for contamination control, primer design, bioinformatics, and metabarcoding

Phylogenetic methods in reconstructing evolutionary relationships

Genetic reconstruction of extinct species

Computational and statistical methods in population genetics

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.