iPSCs: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges
Jan 26–29, 2026 | Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto, Japan
Scientific Organizers:
Shinya Yamanaka, Yanhong Shi, and Yasushi Kajii
×
-
Jan 26–29, 2026 | Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto, Japan
Scientific Organizers: Shinya Yamanaka, Yanhong Shi, and Yasushi Kajii
Shinya Yamanaka
Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto Univ, Gladstone Institutes
Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D., is the Director Emeritus of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University and a Senior Investigator at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease. His pioneering work demonstrating that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent, namely induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, initiated the iPSC field and has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012. He has been involved in organizing the regularly held CiRA International Symposium and global and regional conferences of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). To promote research and development efforts on iPSCs, he has spearheaded the CiRA Foundation, which manufactures, stocks, and distributes high-quality iPSCs to academic, non-profits, and industrial partners worldwide for their research and clinical development, and created T-CiRA, an academic-industrial collaboration project between CiRA and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Yanhong Shi, PhD
Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
Yanhong Shi, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Director of Division of Stem Cell Biology Research at Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope National Medical Center, the Herbert Horvitz Endowed Professor in Neuroscience, and an elected fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). Her research focuses on human iPSC-based disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell therapy development for debilitating diseases. Dr. Shi’s extensive conference organizing experience includes as co-organizer of the 2018 Keystone Symposia on iPSCs.
Yasushi Kajii, PhD
Takeda Pharmaceutical Inc.
Yasushi Kajii, Ph.D., is the Head of R&D (Japan Region) of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and the Program Officer for the T-CiRA Program. Dr. Kajii oversees drug development projects aiming to bring new iPSC-based cell therapy products to patients. He also serves as a Professor at Waseda University. Dr. Kajii is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry to promote public-private partnerships. Together, this team is well-equipped to curate engaging content, foster a collaborative conference environment and to address logistical challenges that might emerge. Their expertise in the underlying biology and its biomedical implications ensures a well-rounded and insightful meeting that will leave a lasting impact on conferees.
Available Formats:
Supported by:
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = In Person = On DemandMerchandise Options
Registration Options
Monday, January 26, 2026
Fundraising
Booking Function
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Breakfast
7:30–8:30 AM
Poster Setup
8:00–8:30 AM
Poster Viewing
8:15–5:00 PM
Welcome and Keynote Address
8:30–9:30 AM
Shinya Yamanaka, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto Univ, Gladstone Institutes
20 Years of iPSCs, Past, Present, and Future
20 Years of iPSCs, Past, Present, and Future
iPSC-based Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery
9:30–11:45 AM
Fred H Gage, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
iPSC-based Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders
iPSC-based Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders
Lorenz Studer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
An Epigenetic Barrier in Human iPSC-based Cortical Neurons
An Epigenetic Barrier in Human iPSC-based Cortical Neurons
Deepak Srivastava, Gladstone Institutes
Cellular Reprogramming as a Basis for Heart Disease
Cellular Reprogramming as a Basis for Heart Disease
Keiko Imamura, Kyoto University
Short Talk: Clinical Trial of Bosutinib for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Identified through iPSC-Based Drug Repurposing
Short Talk: Clinical Trial of Bosutinib for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Identified through iPSC-Based Drug Repurposing
Coffee Break
10:00–10:20 AM
Lunch
11:45–12:45 PM
Poster Session 1
12:30–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 1
2:30–4:30 PM
Lukas Genbrugge †, Ghent University
Modeling the Choroid Plexus - Neural Stem Cell Axis in Neurodevelopmental BAFopathies Using Choroid Plexus Organoids
Modeling the Choroid Plexus - Neural Stem Cell Axis in Neurodevelopmental BAFopathies Using Choroid Plexus Organoids
Eugenia Wong †, Babraham Institute
A Novel Method to Restore Full Differentiation Potential In Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines by Epigenetic Chromatin Resetting
A Novel Method to Restore Full Differentiation Potential In Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines by Epigenetic Chromatin Resetting
Kelly A Frazer †, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
Uncovering The Regulatory Architecture of GWAS Loci Using Multiomic QTL Maps in Early Development-Like Tissues
Uncovering The Regulatory Architecture of GWAS Loci Using Multiomic QTL Maps in Early Development-Like Tissues
Risa Kawaguchi, Kyoto University
Single-cell Multi-omics Uncovers Distinct Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Dynamics Driving Reprogramming Heterogeneity in Human iPS Cell Induction
Single-cell Multi-omics Uncovers Distinct Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Dynamics Driving Reprogramming Heterogeneity in Human iPS Cell Induction
Hiroyuki Tamiya, Kansai Medical University
Formation Of the Central Master Clock From Pluripotent Stem Cells
Formation Of the Central Master Clock From Pluripotent Stem Cells
Akira Yamagata, Kyoto University
Human iPSC-Based In Vitro and In Vivo Models Recapitulate the Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis
Human iPSC-Based In Vitro and In Vivo Models Recapitulate the Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis
Julio Aguado †, University of Colorado
iPSC-Based Models of Virus-Induced Senescence: Opportunities for Targeting Brain Aging
iPSC-Based Models of Virus-Induced Senescence: Opportunities for Targeting Brain Aging
Kambez Benam †, University of Pittsburgh
Development of iPSC-Derived Next-Generation Human Lung Airway-on-a-Chip for Autologous Disease Modeling of Down Syndrome
Development of iPSC-Derived Next-Generation Human Lung Airway-on-a-Chip for Autologous Disease Modeling of Down Syndrome
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
3D Modeling using Organoids and Organs-on-a-Chip
5:00–7:00 PM
Guo-li Ming, University of Pennsylvania
Using iPSC-Derived Organoids to Study Neurodevelopment and Disorders
Using iPSC-Derived Organoids to Study Neurodevelopment and Disorders
Melissa Hector-Greene, Washington University in St. Louis
Modeling Dilated Cardiomyopathy using iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes and Engineered Heart Tissues
Modeling Dilated Cardiomyopathy using iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes and Engineered Heart Tissues
Christine L. Mummery, Leiden University Medical Center
Cardiovascular diseases and drugs: where are we with hiPSC models?
Cardiovascular diseases and drugs: where are we with hiPSC models?
Norikazu Saiki, Institute of Science Tokyo
Short Talk: Vascularized Organoids Recapitulate Physiological Endothelial Injury through the Directed Differentiation of Organ- and Lineage-Specific Endothelial Cells
Short Talk: Vascularized Organoids Recapitulate Physiological Endothelial Injury through the Directed Differentiation of Organ- and Lineage-Specific Endothelial Cells
Shi-Yan Ng, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Lightning Talk: Microglia-Sufficient Spinal Organoids Effectively Model ALS and Elucidate Neuro-Immune Crosstalk
Lightning Talk: Microglia-Sufficient Spinal Organoids Effectively Model ALS and Elucidate Neuro-Immune Crosstalk
Jun Yamashita †, University of Tokyo
Lightning Talk: The Evolution of hiPSC-Based Arrhythmia Modeling: From Cells to 3D Cardiac Tissues—and Beyond
Lightning Talk: The Evolution of hiPSC-Based Arrhythmia Modeling: From Cells to 3D Cardiac Tissues—and Beyond
On Own for Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Breakfast
7:30–8:30 AM
Poster Setup
8:00–8:30 AM
Poster Viewing
8:15–5:00 PM
Human iPSC-based Therapeutic Development I
8:30–11:00 AM
Yanhong Shi, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
Developing Human iPSC-based Cell Therapies for Myelin Disorders
Developing Human iPSC-based Cell Therapies for Myelin Disorders
Mathew M. Blurton-Jones, University of California, Irvine
Therapeutic Potential of Human iPSC-derived Microglia
Therapeutic Potential of Human iPSC-derived Microglia
Marinna Madrid, Cellino Biotech
Creating an Industrial Revolution for Personalized Cell Therapies
Creating an Industrial Revolution for Personalized Cell Therapies
Katja G Weinacht, Stanford School of Medicine
Short Talk: A Preclinical Platform to Restore Immune Function by iPSC-Derived Human Thymic Epithelial Cells
Short Talk: A Preclinical Platform to Restore Immune Function by iPSC-Derived Human Thymic Epithelial Cells
Yoshiki Nakashima †, CiRA Foundation
Lightning Talk: Development of a Cell Therapy Set Prototype for Autologous iPS Cells
Lightning Talk: Development of a Cell Therapy Set Prototype for Autologous iPS Cells
Fuad Gandhi Torizal †, Jichi Medical University
Lightning Talk: Functional and Morphological Therapeutic Screening Using AAV-Based Designer Cardiomyopathy Models in hiPSC-Cardiomyocytes
Lightning Talk: Functional and Morphological Therapeutic Screening Using AAV-Based Designer Cardiomyopathy Models in hiPSC-Cardiomyocytes
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:50–9:55 AM
Unlocking iPSC Innovations: Towards Life-Transforming Drugs Through the Ten-Year T-CiRA Academia-Industry Collaboration Program
11:00–12:00 PM
Yasushi Kajii, Takeda Pharmaceutical Inc.
Open Innovation Setting of T-CiRA to Transform Academic Insights into Drug Seeds
Open Innovation Setting of T-CiRA to Transform Academic Insights into Drug Seeds
Yoshinori Yoshida, CiRA, Kyoto University
Cardiomyopathy Project: Drug Discovery for Cardiac Diseases Using an Innovative iPS Cell-Based Platform
Cardiomyopathy Project: Drug Discovery for Cardiac Diseases Using an Innovative iPS Cell-Based Platform
Lunch
12:00–1:00 PM
Career Roundtable and Networking Session
1:00–2:15 PM
Poster Session 2
2:30–4:30 PM
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Human iPSC-based Therapeutic Development II
5:00–7:00 PM
Hongjun Song, University of Pennsylvania
Studying Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Cortical Neurogenesis Using Human Organoid Models
Studying Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Cortical Neurogenesis Using Human Organoid Models
Mingxia Gu, UCLA
Therapeutic Development Using iPSC-derived Heart, Lung and Vasculature Organoids
Therapeutic Development Using iPSC-derived Heart, Lung and Vasculature Organoids
Hideyuki Okano, Keio University
Clinical Trial and Reverse Translational Research of iPSCs-based Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Clinical Trial and Reverse Translational Research of iPSCs-based Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Teruyoshi Yamashita, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Short Talk: Restoring Gut Motility with Scalable Human Induced Enteric Neural Progenitors
Short Talk: Restoring Gut Motility with Scalable Human Induced Enteric Neural Progenitors
Yu Shimoyama †, iHeart Japan Corporation
Lightning Talk: Challenge of Treating Non-Ischemic Heart Failure with iPSC-Derived Multilayered Cardiovascular Tissue Sheets
Lightning Talk: Challenge of Treating Non-Ischemic Heart Failure with iPSC-Derived Multilayered Cardiovascular Tissue Sheets
Takeshi Tokuyama †, Jichi medical university
Lightning Talk: Taurine Rescues Mitochondrial Function through tRNALys Stabilization in KARS1-Mutant iPS Cells
Lightning Talk: Taurine Rescues Mitochondrial Function through tRNALys Stabilization in KARS1-Mutant iPS Cells
On Own for Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Breakfast
7:30–8:30 AM
Clinical Trials Testing PSC-derived Products
8:30–11:30 AM
Masayo Takahashi, Kobe Eye Center, VCCT Inc.
Lessons Learnt from Retinal Regeneration using Autologous and Allogeneic Human iPSC-derived Cells
Lessons Learnt from Retinal Regeneration using Autologous and Allogeneic Human iPSC-derived Cells
Keiichi Fukuda, Keio University School of Medicine & Heartseed Inc.
Cardiac Regeneration Using iPSCs
Cardiac Regeneration Using iPSCs
Jun Takahashi, CiRA, Kyoto University
iPSC-based Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
iPSC-based Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
Guanghui Liu, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Talk Title to be Announced
Talk Title to be Announced
Jiong Shi, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China
Short Talk: Allogeneic iPSC-Derived Dopaminergic Progenitor Cells for Parkinson's Disease
Short Talk: Allogeneic iPSC-Derived Dopaminergic Progenitor Cells for Parkinson's Disease
Yanqiu Li, Nuwacell
Lightning Talk: Safety and Efficacy of iPSC-Derived MSCs in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: a Phase I, Dose Escalation, Multi-Center Study
Lightning Talk: Safety and Efficacy of iPSC-Derived MSCs in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: a Phase I, Dose Escalation, Multi-Center Study
Xiaoyu Zhu †, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China
Lightning Talk: iPSC-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Products Show Safety and Efficacy in SR-aGVHD
Lightning Talk: iPSC-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Products Show Safety and Efficacy in SR-aGVHD
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Meet the Editors
11:30–12:30 PM
On Own for Lunch
12:30–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2
2:30–4:30 PM
Alex Ng †, GC Therapeutics
Short Talk: AI-Guided Forward Programming Trained by Systematic TFome™-Wide Screening
Short Talk: AI-Guided Forward Programming Trained by Systematic TFome™-Wide Screening
Yann Pretemer, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University
In Vitro Reconstitution of Human Thymus Development and Function Through iPSC-Derived
In Vitro Reconstitution of Human Thymus Development and Function Through iPSC-Derived
Hayk Davtyan, University of California, Irvine
Microglia Versus Monocytes: Does Ontogeny Matter?
Microglia Versus Monocytes: Does Ontogeny Matter?
Li Li †, Stanford University
Dysregulation of Molecular Clock in Astrocytes Disrupts Synapse Phagocytosis and Induces Neurocognitive Deficits
Dysregulation of Molecular Clock in Astrocytes Disrupts Synapse Phagocytosis and Induces Neurocognitive Deficits
Sudiksha Rathan Kumar †, Vanderbilt University
Fighting the Fire: iPSC Models and Therapeutics for hypomyelinating HIKESHI-associated Leukodystrophy
Fighting the Fire: iPSC Models and Therapeutics for hypomyelinating HIKESHI-associated Leukodystrophy
Irene Santisteban Ortiz †, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Tissue Niche-derived Signals Locally Program Human Microglia Phenotypes in an Organoid Model of the Developing Human Brain
Tissue Niche-derived Signals Locally Program Human Microglia Phenotypes in an Organoid Model of the Developing Human Brain
Cristopher Bragg, Massachusetts General Hospital
Therapeutic Targeting of Alternative Splicing Caused by a Lethal Noncoding Structural Variant in X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism
Therapeutic Targeting of Alternative Splicing Caused by a Lethal Noncoding Structural Variant in X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism
Ying Zhang, Nuwacell
Preliminary Efficacy of NCR101, Genetically Modified HGF-iMSC, in the Treatment of Interstitial lung Disease
Preliminary Efficacy of NCR101, Genetically Modified HGF-iMSC, in the Treatment of Interstitial lung Disease
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
AI and Machine Learning in iPSC Research and Applications
5:00–6:45 PM
Feng Guo, Indiana University
Brain Organoid Reservoir Computing for Artificial Intelligence
Brain Organoid Reservoir Computing for Artificial Intelligence
Casey Gifford, Stanford School of Medicine
Deep Learning Models Uncover Complex Motif Syntax Employed during Cardiac Organoid Differentiation
Deep Learning Models Uncover Complex Motif Syntax Employed during Cardiac Organoid Differentiation
Katriina Aalto-Setala, Tampere University
Artificial Intelligence for Cardiac Drug Study
Artificial Intelligence for Cardiac Drug Study
Jian Shu, Harvard Medical School
Short Talk: When Cellular Reprogramming Meets AI: Towards De Novo Cell Design
Short Talk: When Cellular Reprogramming Meets AI: Towards De Novo Cell Design
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
6:45–7:00 PM
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Friday, January 30, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
Subscribe for Updates