科普: What Are Stem Cells?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: Without stem cells, there would be no life or health— they are deeply intertwined with our very existence. Stem cells originate from "stem," the root-like structure in plants. They’re called stem cells because, once generated, they have the remarkable ability to continuously differentiate into a wide variety of specialized cell types. Just like a tree that grows diverse, vibrant branches and leaves, stem cells give rise to the incredible diversity of life, the multiplicity of organs, and the intricate complexity of bodily functions.

What exactly can stem cells do?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: From the fertilized egg, through the blastocyst stage, to full fetal development, stem cells serve as the very first "seeds" of individual growth—and they are the source of life itself. Every organ in our human body contains stem cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining health. These stem cells continuously proliferate and mature over time; once fully developed, they take on the role of replacing damaged or aging cells, ensuring the body remains healthy. Moreover, in the context of disease, stem cells can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. For instance, when tissues or organs are impaired, stem cells can help repair and regenerate them by replacing lost or dysfunctional cells. A compelling example is their use in treating Parkinson’s disease: by introducing stem cells that replenish the dopamine-producing neurons that patients have lost, doctors can restore normal motor coordination and brain function, ultimately bringing patients back to a healthier, more balanced state.

Can stem cells cure every disease?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: Basic research and translational applications of stem cells have already shown remarkably promising potential—such as using stem cells to heal even some notoriously difficult-to-treat wounds by promoting tissue regeneration. While stem cells hold great promise for disease treatment, they are certainly not a panacea. For certain conditions, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear: it’s still uncertain whether the issue stems from the loss of a specific cell type or a decline in a particular molecule. Moreover, our current understanding of the intrinsic capabilities of stem cells themselves is still limited. Therefore, while we may place high hopes in stem cells as a universal solution for all diseases, I believe that expectation is simply unrealistic at this stage. Stem cell therapy is a medical procedure that must be governed by regulations and standardized medical practices—not something driven by the patient's subjective desires, but rather a need that should be addressed by physicians.

Is stem cell therapy limited to using only one's own stem cells?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: It depends on the need—specifically, which part and what the purpose is. Choosing between autologous or allogeneic stem cells requires analysis based on the actual situation.

Do the number and vitality of stem cells decline with age?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: The number and vitality of stem cells naturally decline with age, as this is an inherent biological process. However, there are ways to reactivate and stimulate the cells' ability to renew and replicate—though two key conditions apply: first, these methods are not always necessary; second, they come with limitations. Importantly, such stimulants may carry side effects or even pose potential risks, such as uncontrolled cell growth.

Everyone is deeply interested in the relationship between the health benefits of stem cells and their ability to treat diseases. However, if your medical checkup hasn’t revealed any specific health issues, I don’t think there’s a need to undergo additional stem-cell treatments.

What stage is stem cell therapy actually at?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: The first dimension involves stem cells as a therapeutic technology, which we are continually exploring and refining in clinical practice, leading to increasingly mature applications. The second dimension focuses on leveraging stem cells as pharmaceuticals, aiming for standardized use in treating personalized diseases—currently, these approaches are undergoing clinical trials. While some stem-cell-based therapies have already been approved internationally, in China we remain committed to a rigorous, systematic, scientifically sound, and patient-focused approach, conducting clinical trials specifically designed to validate the efficacy of stem cell treatments.

Stem cells have become incredibly popular for several key reasons: First, there’s been overall progress in cell biology technologies. Second, increased investment in basic stem cell research has significantly deepened our understanding of these remarkable cells. Third, society is placing greater emphasis on and stricter regulations surrounding clinical studies exploring stem cell applications. Finally, people’s growing desire for health and a better quality of life—whether it’s maintaining wellness, treating diseases, extending lifespan, or even reshaping the very essence of life—has fueled a heightened interest in redefining what it means to live well and fully.

What breakthroughs has China achieved in stem cell therapy for treating diseases?

Researcher Hu Baoyang: There are several types of diseases where stem cells offer significant advantages: age-related degenerative conditions, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, sports-related injuries such as meniscus tears in the knee, and even autoimmune disorders—all of which can be treated very effectively.

Academician Bian Xiuwu: Stem cells have garnered significant attention as a key focus of research in biology and medicine, thanks to their immense potential for practical applications. However, much about them remains uncertain—ranging from the full understanding of their specific effects and regulatory mechanisms to the development of clear standards and guidelines for drug approval, as well as identifying the most suitable therapeutic indications. While China has historically had a relatively small share of the global chemical pharmaceutical market and faced challenges in innovation, when it comes to stem-cell-based therapies, we can say that we’re starting on an equal footing—or even have the opportunity to leapfrog ahead.

Why are Chinese scientists daring to venture into uncharted territory?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: Our field of pathology seeks to understand why diseases occur. In some cases, diseases arise due to inflammatory responses that disrupt the normal renewal of stem cells, ultimately leading to degenerative conditions. To fully grasp these processes, we must pay close attention to the field of stem cell research. I believe understanding the progression of disease is akin to unraveling the very origins of life—it all begins with the fundamental biology of stem cells, helping us recognize and unlock their immense potential for both diagnosis and treatment. When studying cancer cells, we’ve discovered that tumor cells are incredibly diverse and continuously evolving—traits that closely mirror the intrinsic characteristics of stem cells themselves.

Why establish a standardized stem cell bank?

Researcher Hu Baoyang: Our most fundamental motivation for working with stem cells is to explore whether they can truly be used to treat diseases. To carry out this kind of research—and to establish a standardized stem cell bank—is essential for storing our seed cells. After 2006, the creation of a standardized cell bank marked a new path for China: moving from using multipotent (stem) seed cells to developing cell-based products and therapies. This shift not only enables us to produce treatments in a standardized and regulated manner, benefiting more people while minimizing risks, but also aims to make stem cell therapy an accessible, widely available treatment—rather than an expensive luxury. Achieving this vision hinges on the development of stem cell-derived drugs, which is precisely why establishing a human embryonic stem cell bank has become indispensable.

Academician Bian Xiuwu: To obtain clinically-grade, standardized stem cells—and ultimately enable the development, approval, and clinical application of stem-cell-based therapies that benefit patients—we must establish a standardized cell bank. Without a cell bank, there’s no "seed" to work with; it’s like trying to grow a large number of these "little Sun Wukongs," but without the seed, replication simply isn’t possible.

What breakthroughs and advancements have been made in standardized stem cell banks?

Researcher Hu Baoyang: First, we have the technology to transform seed cells into the specific cell types we desire. Second, from a single seed cell, we can generate hundreds of millions of functional cells—essentially, cell-based therapies. We’ve made significant progress in both areas and are now advancing toward clinical trials. Once the safety and efficacy of these therapies are confirmed in clinical trials, they’ll finally provide real, tangible solutions to people’s health challenges.

Chinese embryonic stem cell research receives unanimous international recognition.

Academician Bian Xiuwu: China is forging an unprecedented path in cell science research, choosing human embryonic stem cells as the foundation for developing cellular products and therapies. This approach has already earned unanimous international recognition, underscoring both the validation of China's stem-cell research efforts and the promising future ahead. Moreover, several key standards developed by Chinese researchers in cell science have now become global benchmarks, highlighting the unparalleled authority and groundbreaking contributions of Chinese scientists in the field of stem cells.

Researcher Hu Baoyang: Currently, we are the country leading—and advancing most rapidly—on international standards for stem cells. This clearly positions us at the forefront of stem-cell research and, by extension, in the emerging industries of the future.

What kind of future can stem cells bring us?

Academician Bian Xiuwu: Our ultimate goal is to leverage these platform conditions and capabilities to develop personalized, customized stem-cell products. Whenever a specific tissue is needed, we can obtain the corresponding functional unit, scale up standardized production, and immediately "print" it out. Secondly, when it comes to drug screening and evaluation, our approach goes beyond traditional single-cell culture assays and animal studies—it also enables organoid-based validation, ensuring robust, standardized quality control while delivering faster, more efficient, and cost-effective results. Finally, in the future of organ manufacturing, whether we’re building tissues, functional units, or even complex, fully-fledged organs, stem cells will remain the foundational technology underpinning it all. Aging is characterized by a decline in both the number and vitality of stem cells. If we can one day achieve the activation of stem cells to rejuvenate specific organs and maintain local homeostasis, it could prove beneficial for preserving health and extending lifespan.