***If I had limited time, I would go to three sites: ISSCR and the Niche and Flora Graham’s Nature Briefing***
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR; https://www.isscr.org/; “Excellence in stem cell science and applications to human health”)
Annual meeting, focused smaller meetings and webinars throughout the year
Publishes Stem Cell Reports (an open access, peer-reviewed journal)
Produces guidelines and standards for stem cell research and therapy (e.g., Best Practices for the Development of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Therapies)
Advocates for the stem cell research community
Provides patient resources (About Stem Cells; The ISSCR Guide to Stem Cell Treatments)
College of American Pathologists (https://www.cap.org/)
Organization for pathologists and lab professionals that certifies genetic lab techs, specifies “excellence in education, certification, and advocacy to improve patient care”
National Laboratory Accreditation
American College of Medical Genetics (https://www.acmg.net/)
Includes genetic counselors, clinical laboratory professionals, and medical geneticists
Provides the incredibly valuable Genetics Academy (e.g., Genetic Therapies Bootcamp) and the Genetics and Genomics Review Course
American Board of Medical Genetics (https://www.abmgg.org/)
Certifies professionals in clinical genetics and genomics
The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT; Waukesha WI; https://www.asgct.org/)
Annual meeting, policy summits
Publishes Molecular Therapy and three other peer-reviewed journals in the field of gene and cell therapy
Provides a patient education site
International Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (ISCT; https://www.isctglobal.org)
Publishes Cytotherapy (peer-reviewed journal)
Individual, lab, and corporate memberships
Annual and regional meetings
Laboratory practices and quality operation
Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (https://alliancerm.org/)
Networking organization
Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa
Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (https://www.aabb.org/)
Publishes Standards for Cellular Therapy Services (CT Standards), effective July 1, 2025, details the “latest standards of practice for accredited cellular therapy facilities and includes overarching quality standards as well as specific technical standards”
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (https://www.factglobal.org/)
“FACT is a non-profit, peer-based organization that publishes Standards, administers accreditation, and provides educational activities with input from a broad range of expertise in cellular therapies”
Cell and Gene (https://www.cellandgene.com/)
Online resource for cell and gene therapies, edited by Erin Harris, who “interviews the key players in the cell and gene therapy space and writes about the most pressing issues”
American Society of Human Genetics (https://www.ashg.org)
“work(s) to advance human genetics and genomics in science, health, and society through excellence in research, education, and advocacy”
Publishes the American Journal of Human Genetics
Publishes Human Genetics and Genomics Advances
The Niche (https://ipscell.com/). The opening page to this site claims it to be the top academic stem cell website. This is an understatement! Paul Knoepfler is a biologist and a stem cell researcher. He keeps up to date on everything to do with stem cells, regenerative medicine, fake clinics, FDA, potential breakthroughs, politics, people, and relevant new literature. And gossip. I have no idea how he maintains this site at the high level of information that he provides, puts out a weekly newsletter, and still does his day job. If you go to only one site for information, this is it! Thank you, Paul Knoepfler.
“Fact Check” feature…for example, see QC Kinetix review. And, this is something I get asked about so often—stem cell therapy for knees (fact checks, cost, and risks)
And RFK, Jr’s claim re: peptides
FDA warning letters
Educational YouTube Channel
The Screamers Award: Colossal Biosciences wins 2025 The Screamers Award for science hype on dire wolf de-extinction claim (December 30, 2025 / Science Hype Award / The Screamers “There were many candidates this year, but one stood above the rest for extraordinary hype in science.”)
SCOPE: stem cells in Spanish or another native language
Reviews and guidance related to unproven stem cell therapies and stem cell supplements