Seminar by Prof.Jun WU "Curious Cases of Pluripotent Stem Cell Adaptations"

<Date>
June 29 (Mon), 2026
14:30-15:30 Seminar
15:30-15:50 Q&A

<Speaker>
Prof.Jun Wu, UT Southwestern, USA
https://profiles.utsouthwestern.edu/profile/175076/jun-wu.html

<Title>
Curious Cases of Pluripotent Stem Cell Adaptations

<Abstract>
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) harbor the extraordinary ability to self-renew and differentiate into nearly any cell type within an adult body. Over recent decades, the field of PSC research has experienced a renaissance of technological innovation that continually stretches the horizons of what's possible. This includes developing novel culture conditions to maintain diverse states of pluripotency in vitro, the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the development of sophisticated in vitro differentiation protocols, and the pioneering of models that mimic early embryos and organs. Such advancements not only propel our understanding of mammalian development forward but also hold the promise to redefine regenerative medicine. PSCs are distinguished not just by their generative potential but by their unparalleled plasticity, allowing them to navigate and adapt to "foreign" environments in ways that challenge their inherent biological limits. These adaptations, although artificial in nature, provide windows into the molecular, cellular, and developmental principles of mammalian biology that remain elusive to traditional scientific inquiry. In my presentation, I will delve into two intriguing instances of PSC adaptations. Through these "curious" adaptations, we can develop novel tools and methodologies, broadening our understanding of the natural world in ways previously unimagined.