The cells that constitute our skin and line our organs are the first line of defense against injury and illness. These vital barriers are replenished by epithelial stem cells. IRM researchers study epithelial stem cells throughout the body to find ways to improve wound healing, heal the lungs after viral infection, reverse baldness, and more. … Continue reading Epithelial Stem Cells

Humans produce hundreds of billions of blood cells every day, thanks to the incredible regenerative potential of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). To create all those oxygen-carrying red blood cells and pathogen-fighting white blood cells, HSCs follow very specific development pathways. IRM researchers are exploring how to control these pathways and use HSCs to treat disease. … Continue reading Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Muscles, bones, and cartilage are critical to our quality of life, so maintaining musculoskeletal health from childhood to old age is incredibly important. However, injuries, aging, and disease can all undermine musculoskeletal health. IRM scientists and engineers are studying innovative ways to repair degraded tissues and are working toward solutions for muscular dystrophy, osteoarthritis, and … Continue reading Musculoskeletal Regeneration

The nervous system’s capacity for growth and change underlies everything from proper mental development to the body’s coordination and movement. IRM researchers study how neurons develop in different stages of life, why the neurons in limbs regenerate better than in the brain, and how dysregulation leads to diseases including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and glioblastoma. … Continue reading Neurodevelopment & Regeneration

The cells of the reproductive system give rise to all other cells in the body. IRM researchers seek to understand the regenerative qualities of sperm and eggs and the biology of early embryos, with the goals of improving the storage of germ cells and embryos for cancer patients and creating safe, effective assisted reproductive technologies. … Continue reading Reproductive Medicine