Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been acknowledged as a milestone in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, providing an excellent tool to tackle fundamental biological questions regarding (de)differentiation and epigenetics and the valuable cell sources for tissue regeneration, human disease modeling, and drug discovery. Further, iPSC generation with patient-specific somatic cells holds great promise for autologous cell replacement therapy. Since the discovery of the iPSCs, efforts have been mainly made to develop protocols with high efficiency and safety to generate clinically relevant cells by employing a variety of (epi) genetic and biochemical approaches. Indeed, some protocols have become practical to significantly enhance the efficiency of iPSCs induction. Also, we have a better insight into the molecular mechanisms controlling iPSC generation at the level of genetics and epigenetics. Meanwhile, approaches regarding the application of iPSCs in animal models for human diseases have been extensively studied.

We invite experts in the field of stem cell, development, and genetics that are mainly studying iPSC-related research from iPSC generation/differentiation protocols and fundamental biological questions to regenerative medicine and human disease modeling.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Generation of iPSCs: methods that significantly enhance efficiency and safety for potential clinical use
• Directed differentiation of iPSCs
• Direct cell reprogramming
• Applications of iPSCs in regenerative medicine
• Applications of iPSCs in animal models for human disease
• Applications of iPSCs in drug screening and drug discovery
• Applications of iPSCs in fundamental biological research particularly the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of reprogramming, proliferation, and differentiation
• Genomic editing approaches for iPSCs