The "father of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells" passes away
2024-01-24
Dr. Arnold Kaplan I. Caplan passed away peacefully at home on January 10, 2024, surrounded by family, at the age of 82.

Dr. Arnold Caplan, widely known as the "Father of MSCs," is an American biomedical engineer and stem cell researcher. He has played a pivotal role in the study of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow and has made significant contributions to their application in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Dr. Kaplan was born on January 5, 1942, in Chicago. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology and went on to earn his Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He joined Case Western Reserve University in 1969 and currently serves as a Professor of Biology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, as well as the Director of the Center for Bone Research.
The pivotal moment in his career came when he successfully isolated human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adult bone marrow, laying the conceptual and technical groundwork for subsequent global research.
Characteristics of MSCs: Professor Caplan was one of the first scientists to identify and describe the unique properties of MSCs, laying the foundation for research and applications involving these stem cells.

MSCs isolation and culture: He not only characterized the properties of MSCs but also refined the techniques for isolating and culturing these stem cells.

MSCs' new definition: Professor Caplan now prefers to define MSCs as cells that are injured or Inflammatory stress The pericyte at the time.

Dr. Kaplan’s passion and spirit have inspired countless individuals he has trained, while his wisdom and mentorship have profoundly shaped the lives of more than 150 researchers. His enthusiasm also extends to sharing his expertise through impactful courses, fostering global scientific collaboration. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the Marshall R. Urist Award, the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Case Western Reserve University Faculty Innovator Award. To date, he has published over 400 papers and holds 20 patents.
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