Neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders (NPD) including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, and depression are detrimental to individuals, their families and society as a whole, and in many cases still lack effective treatments. It’s becoming more and more clear that genetic mutations in certain genes can increase the likelihood of developing NPD, and several hundreds of those “risk genes” have been identified to date, but their role related to NPD remains a mystery.

How old are you, really? Your chronological age is the number of years you have been alive. Your biological age is how old your cells are which scientists believe may better assess one’s age-related health and disease risk. A recent study by Konrad Hochedlinger, Rebecca Gorelov and colleagues from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, USA, aims to shed light on this question, asking how the presence of stem cells within a given tissue or organ impacts its epigenetic clock.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) announces the appointment of Janet Rossant, President of the Gairdner Foundation and Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Hospital for Sick Children, Canada as the next Stem Cell Reports Editor-in-Chief beginning 1 January 2025. Dr. Rossant will take over the position held by Martin Pera, The Jackson Laboratory, USA, for nearly six years.