Aims & Scope

Aims

The international journal Stem Cells & Advanced Cell Therapy (SCACT) is a gold open access, peer-reviewed journal that aims to be a premier platform for disseminating cutting-edge research and innovative research that advances the science, engineering, manufacturing, and clinical translation of stem cell-based and advanced cellular therapies. The journal provides a multidisciplinary forum that connects fundamental discoveries with innovative therapeutic applications, fostering interactions among biologists, clinicians, bioengineers, computational scientists, regulatory experts, and industry partners. This journal seeks to bridge theoretical research and practical applications, fostering a multidisciplinary dialogue among scientists, engineers, and practitioners in related fields. The journal welcomes studies ranging from fundamental stem cell biology to first-in-human clinical investigations, as well as technological innovations that transform the manufacturing, characterization, and clinical implementation of advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs). Recognizing the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, computational biology, multi-omics technologies, and automated biomanufacturing, the journal particularly encourages interdisciplinary research integrating these emerging technologies with regenerative medicine and cell therapy. It is published quarterly online by Scilight Press.

Scope

The journal covers, but is not limited to, the following areas:

Stem Cell Biology

  • Embryonic, adult, fetal and perinatal stem cells
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
  • Tissue-specific stem and progenitor cells
  • Stem cell self-renewal, differentiation and plasticity
  • Developmental biology and lineage specification
  • Stem cell niches and microenvironment
  • Cellular senescence and aging

Cellular Engineering

  • Genome editing and CRISPR technologies
  • Synthetic biology
  • Cell programming and reprogramming
  • Cell fate engineering
  • Universal and hypoimmunogenic cell platforms
  • Designer immune cells

Advanced Cell Therapy

  • Mesenchymal stromal cell therapies
  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
  • Immune cell therapies
  • CAR-T, CAR-NK, CAR-macrophages and engineered immune cells
  • Regulatory T-cell therapies
  • iPSC-derived therapeutic products
  • Extracellular vesicles and exosome-based therapies
  • Combination therapies integrating cells, biologics and biomaterials

Regenerative Medicine

  • Tissue regeneration
  • Organ repair
  • Tissue engineering
  • Biomaterials and smart scaffolds
  • Hydrogels
  • 3D bioprinting
  • Biofabrication
  • Organoids and organ-on-chip technologies

Immunology and Cell Therapy

  • Immune regulation
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer immunotherapy
  • Transplantation tolerance
  • Inflammation
  • Host–cell interactions
  • Cell persistence and immune escape mechanisms

Clinical Translation

  • Preclinical proof-of-concept studies
  • Safety and biodistribution
  • Pharmacology and mechanism of action
  • Biomarkers and companion diagnostics
  • Early- and late-phase clinical trials
  • Long-term clinical outcomes
  • Real-world evidence

Biomanufacturing and Cell Production

  • GMP manufacturing
  • Process development
  • Scale-up and automation
  • Cell expansion technologies
  • Closed-system manufacturing
  • Digital manufacturing
  • Quality-by-design
  • Potency assays
  • Release testing
  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Cryopreservation and distribution

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies

  • AI-assisted therapeutic design
  • Machine learning for cell characterization
  • Multi-omics integration
  • Digital pathology
  • Digital twins
  • Predictive analytics
  • Bioinformatics
  • Computational modelling
  • Robotics and automation

Diseases of Interest: the journal welcomes studies addressing innovative cell therapies for:

  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Neurological disorders
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pulmonary diseases
  • Liver and kidney diseases
  • Diabetes and metabolic disorders
  • Rare genetic diseases
  • Infectious diseases
  • Age-related degeneration

The journal publishes:

  • Original Research Articles on cell biology
  • Original clinical translational trials
  • Short Communications
  • Short Reviews
  • Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
  • Perspectives and Commentaries
  • Clinical Trial Reportss
  • Methods and Protocols
  • Editorials, Consensus and Position Papers
  • Congress reporting
  • Special Issues on Emerging Topics