HOW UCLA STEM CELL RESEARCH IS TRANSFORMING MEDICINE
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Stem Cell Biology

Our members are conducting foundational research to enhance our understanding of stem cell biology to help unlock the full potential of regenerative medicine and transform the way we study and treat disease.
UCLA scientist Dr. Bill Lowry instructing a stem cell class.

Stem cellsCells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves.Stem cellsCells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves. have the remarkable potential to self-renew and differentiate into the various specialized cell types found in the body. In addition to generating all the cells and structures of the human body, they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing to restore or replace cells lost throughout a person’s life. Our researchers are leveraging their expertise across a wide range of disciplines and technologies to build a deep foundational understanding of stem cell function, gaining critical insights into how stem cells can be harnessed toward new therapies that regenerate damaged organs, repair injuries and prevent age-related diseases. 

Uncovering these underlying principles provides a solid framework for more applied research, yielding insights into humanity’s most complex medical mysteries and opening up avenues to enhance the body’s inherent ability to heal. Center members are developing improved methods to generate induced pluripotent stem cellsiPSCs are adult cells — typically skin or blood — that have been reprogrammed in the lab to behave like stem cells, giving them the potential to become any of the cell types found in all major tissues in the body. Because they are made from a patient's own cells, they carry that person's unique genetic code, making them a powerful tool for disease research and personalized medicineinduced pluripotent stem cellsiPSCs are adult cells — typically skin or blood — that have been reprogrammed in the lab to behave like stem cells, giving them the potential to become any of the cell types found in all major tissues in the body. Because they are made from a patient's own cells, they carry that person's unique genetic code, making them a powerful tool for disease research and personalized medicine from patient cells and pinpointing the causes of our most intractable diseases using stem cell-derived 3D organoid3D tissue grown from stem cells to replicate aspects of the structure and function of an organ. By modeling how multiple types of cells interact in biologically-relevant structures, these models help researchers understand how human organs develop, age and respond to disease in more detail than 2D cultures.organoid3D tissue grown from stem cells to replicate aspects of the structure and function of an organ. By modeling how multiple types of cells interact in biologically-relevant structures, these models help researchers understand how human organs develop, age and respond to disease in more detail than 2D cultures. models. Through these approaches and a range of others, they’re uncovering the precise genetic networks that regulate the formation, maturation and function of tissue-specific cells, bringing us ever-closer to a new generation of cell-based treatments and cures. 

  • Identify the genetic and molecular mechanisms that enable stem cellsCells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves.stem cellsCells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves. to repair or regenerate tissue following damage, injury and disease in order to develop drug and cell therapies to enhance and accelerate this process
  • Develop methods to prevent age-related diseases and prolong healthspan by studying how aging affects stem cell function and pinpointing factors that can prevent, slow or reverse the effects of aging
  • Uncover how factors including genetic variation, metabolism and environmental stressors affect stem cell production and function
  • Use stem cell-derived organoid3D tissue grown from stem cells to replicate aspects of the structure and function of an organ. By modeling how multiple types of cells interact in biologically-relevant structures, these models help researchers understand how human organs develop, age and respond to disease in more detail than 2D cultures.organoid3D tissue grown from stem cells to replicate aspects of the structure and function of an organ. By modeling how multiple types of cells interact in biologically-relevant structures, these models help researchers understand how human organs develop, age and respond to disease in more detail than 2D cultures. models to gain critical insights into how tissues and organs — including the heart, lungs and brain — develop, age and respond to disease
  • Discover new therapies in an efficient and cost-effective manner using stem cell-derived disease-in-a-dishThese models use lab-grown cell structures made from patient tissue samples to study human disease outside of the body. Cells are reprogrammed to a pluripotent state, then transformed into different cell types, allowing scientists to study disease processes in a controlled environment. They differ from organoids, which offer a more complex and organ-specific perspective, capturing cellular diversity and interactions.disease-in-a-dishThese models use lab-grown cell structures made from patient tissue samples to study human disease outside of the body. Cells are reprogrammed to a pluripotent state, then transformed into different cell types, allowing scientists to study disease processes in a controlled environment. They differ from organoids, which offer a more complex and organ-specific perspective, capturing cellular diversity and interactions. models in combination with high-throughput drug screening technologies
  • Examine the molecular mechanisms that control stem cell identity and fate to identify improved methods of generating induced pluripotent stem cellsiPSCs are adult cells — typically skin or blood — that have been reprogrammed in the lab to behave like stem cells, giving them the potential to become any of the cell types found in all major tissues in the body. Because they are made from a patient's own cells, they carry that person's unique genetic code, making them a powerful tool for disease research and personalized medicineinduced pluripotent stem cellsiPSCs are adult cells — typically skin or blood — that have been reprogrammed in the lab to behave like stem cells, giving them the potential to become any of the cell types found in all major tissues in the body. Because they are made from a patient's own cells, they carry that person's unique genetic code, making them a powerful tool for disease research and personalized medicine for use in cell therapies
  • Understand how the stem cells in plants and seaweeds influence their evolution and development — ultimately impacting our food systems, ecosystems and changing climate
  • Develop compounds to increase stem cell production
  • Explore how cell cycle regulators influence embryonic stem cell differentiationThe process by which stem cells transform into specific, specialized cell types with distinct functions and features.differentiationThe process by which stem cells transform into specific, specialized cell types with distinct functions and features. and embryoThe early developmental stage of a multicellular organism, typically occurring after fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm cell.embryoThe early developmental stage of a multicellular organism, typically occurring after fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm cell. development
An artistic representation of the newly discovered trans-action by XIST, showing the X chromosome (yellow) and the extended and dispersed distribution of XIST (green) across the X chromosome and beyond, i.e. to autosomes, as seen with microscopy.

A new understanding of gene regulation

UCLA scientists challenge longstanding beliefs about the role of the long non-coding RNA XIST in regulating gene expression — findings that could inform how we develop treatments for female-specific diseases.

Microscopic images of regenerated mouse muscles transplanted with muscle stem cells (green) from old mice that have high levels of glutathione (left) and low levels of glutathione (right). Muscle stem cells with high glutathione levels are much more effective at contributing to new muscle tissue.

Rejuvenating old stem cells

UCLA researchers discover that restoring a key antioxidant rejuvenates old muscle stem cells — a finding that could help improve the body’s ability to recover from injury as we age.

Human blood stem cells emerging from specialized endothelial cells in the wall of an embryonic aorta.

Uncovering the origins of blood stem cells

Center researchers develop a first-of-its-kind roadmap tracing how blood stem cells develop in the human embryo, providing a blueprint for producing fully functional blood stem cells in the lab.

Differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (blue) turning into human germ cells (pink and white).

Lab-grown eggs and sperm to treat infertility

UCLA study reveals timeline and pathway of germ cell development — crucial information that could help scientists generate egg and sperm cells in the lab.

Untreated mouse skin showing no hair growth (left) compared to mouse skin treated with the drug UK5099 (right) showing hair growth. Credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Center/Nature Cell Biology

Combating hair loss

Center members discover a new way to activate the stem cells in the hair follicle to make hair grow for people with baldness or alopecia, which is hair loss associated with hormonal imbalance, stress, aging or chemotherapy.

Kathrin Plath in Lab

Defining stages of stem cell reprogramming

Our researchers unveil a critical new understanding of stem cell development, improving disease models and sources of patient-specific specialized cells suitable for replacement therapy.

Microscope image of blood stem cells

Manufacturing blood stem cells

Center researchers lay the groundwork for generating blood stem cells in the lab that mirror their natural development, improving patient-specific therapies for blood-related diseases and cancers.

Person holding black and white microscope

Identifying differences in reprogrammed cells

UCLA researchers found that cells reprogrammed into embryonic-like cells have inherent molecular differences and distinct gene expression signatures, inspiring additional research about the role they can play in clinical therapies.

Hands with gloves handle a container with lab sample at UCLA.

Creating induced pluripotent stem cells

UCLA scientists reprogram human skin cells into cells with embryonic stem cell-like properties without using embryos or eggs, impacting disease treatment, tissue engineering and transplantation medicine.

Close-up of a person touching their temple area while looking down, showing their hairline and dark hair

Reactivating stem cells for natural hair regrowth

UCLA researchers discover a molecule that reactivates stem cells in hair follicles to regrow hair naturally. Applied topically, it could be the first stem cell-targeted therapy for baldness.

Meet the Researchers

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