We are proud to announce a Special Issue of Bioengineering (ISSN: 2306-5354) “A Tribute to Professor Alexander Friedenstein and His Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Stromal Stem Cells”, devoted to the pioneering work of Professor Alexander Friedenstein and his ground-breaking discoveries in stromal stem cells. Prof. Friedenstein is rightly credited with the discovery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), having defined them as stroma-resident cells that fulfill the main criteria attributed to stem cells, making them highly important in the field of regenerative medicine. Single-cell-derived clones of stromal progenitors have been shown to have an intrinsic ability to form bone, cartilage, and connective tissues in vivo, paving the way for a range of cell therapies and tissue engineering developments.

As we approach the centenary of Professor Friedenstein’s birth in 2024, we pay tribute to his outstanding achievements in this field through a Special Issue edited by Dr. Elena A. Jones, Dr. Dimitrios Kouroupis, and Dr. Rodrigo Somoza. The Issue will include original research articles and reviews that celebrate his legacy, exploring issues such as how we can best isolate and culture MSCs, enhance their desired functions, and control their differentiation or trophic activity through their microenvironment. We also consider the benefits and limitations of MSCs versus MSC-derived extracellular vesicles for therapeutics, and how we can effectively isolate MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles and reinforce their therapeutic signatures.

Professor Alexander Friedenstein’s groundbreaking work on stromal stem cells has opened up new frontiers in regenerative medicine and continues to inspire research into new applications in the field.

We invite submissions that celebrate his incredible legacy and honor his memory. You can click here to go to the submission form.