20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future【Kyoto】

Symposium Theme

20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future

The symposium will celebrate two decades of progress in iPSC research while exploring the future of fundamental biology, disease modeling, drug discovery, regenerative medicine, cell-based therapies, bioengineering, enabling technologies, ethics, and policy.

Event Information

• Official Title: ISSCR International Symposium: 20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future
• Date: October 20 (Tue.)–22 (Thu.), 2026
• Venue: Clock Tower Centennial Hall, Kyoto University
• Address: 36 Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan
• Campus: Kyoto University Yoshida Campus
• Meeting Format: In-person international symposium

Organizers and Partners

• Organizer: International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
• Partner Institution: Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
• Co-sponsor: Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM)
• Chair: Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D. — CiRA, Kyoto University; CiRA Foundation; Gladstone Institutes
• Organizer: Jun Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D. — CiRA, Kyoto University
• Organizer: Emily Titus, Ph.D. — Notch Therapeutics
• Organizer: Christine Mummery, Ph.D. — reNEW Leiden and Leiden University Medical Center
• Organizer: Takanori Takebe, M.D., Ph.D. — Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The University of Osaka, and Institute of Science Tokyo

Participant Registration

• Early Registration Deadline: July 29, 2026
• ISSCR Student Member: USD 315 early / USD 350 regular
• ISSCR Postdoctoral Member: USD 450 early / USD 500 regular
• ISSCR Full or Affiliate Member: USD 650 early / USD 725 regular
• Non-member: USD 1,150 early or regular
• Reduced Rates: Participants from World Bank-designated low- and lower-middle-income countries receive a 50% registration-fee reduction
• Cancellation and Refund Deadline: September 23, 2026
• Cancellation Fee: USD 150 will be deducted from the refund

Abstract Submission

• Abstract Submission Deadline: July 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT
• Deadline in Japan: July 30, 2026, at 12:59 p.m. JST
• Presentation Notification: Scheduled for August 31, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Selected Presenter Registration Deadline: September 9, 2026
• Presenting Author Changes: Must be completed by September 9, 2026
• Abstract Submission Fee: USD 45 per abstract
• Oral Presentation: Selected abstracts will be considered for a 10-minute presentation during a scientific session
• Poster Presentation: Posters will be displayed in person for one assigned day
• Attendance Requirement: Selected oral and poster presenters must attend and register for the in-person symposium

Abstract Submission Topics

• Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms in iPSC Biology
• iPSC Differentiation and Maturation
• Disease Modeling with iPS Cells
• Clinical Applications of iPS Cells
• Bioengineering Approaches in iPSC Modeling
• Enabling Technologies for the Next Breakthrough

Opening Keynote

• Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D.: CiRA, Kyoto University; CiRA Foundation; Gladstone Institutes
• Janet Rossant, Ph.D.: Senior Scientist Emeritus, SickKids Research Institute; University of Toronto; Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports
• George Q. Daley, M.D., Ph.D.: Harvard Medical School

Main Scientific Sessions

• Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms in iPSC Biology: Reprogramming, pluripotency, cellular identity, and molecular regulation
• iPSC Differentiation and Maturation: Generation and functional maturation of specialized cell types and tissues
• Genetic Variability and Personalization in iPSC Research: Genetic diversity, individualized models, and reproducibility
• Disease Modeling with iPS Cells: Patient-derived cells, organoids, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic discovery
• Clinical Applications of iPS Cells: Translational development and cell-based therapies
• Future Directions of iPSC Innovation: Emerging scientific, translational, and technological opportunities
• Bioengineering Approaches in iPSC Modeling: Tissue engineering, three-dimensional culture, organoids, and advanced model systems
• Enabling Technologies for the Next Breakthrough: Cell analysis, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, quality assessment, and scale-up
• Fireside Chat: Reflections on 20 years of iPSC research and priorities for the future

Featured Speakers

• Yasuhiro Takashima
• Ivana Barbaric
• Maike Sander
• Karl R. Koehler
• Elizabeth Ng
• Olivier Pourquié
• Magdalena Kasendra
• Bruce R. Conklin
• Silvia Velasco
• Mingxia Gu
• Masayo Takahashi
• Bob Valamehr
• Xiaokui Zhang
• Janet Rossant
• Christine Mummery
• Takanori Takebe
• Azadeh Golipour
• Orly Reiner
• Philipp Wörsdörfer
• Harsha D. Devalla
• Yoshiyuki Sankai
• Ruwanthi Gunawardane

CiRA Open House for Trainees

• Date: October 19, 2026
• Host: Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University
• Eligible Participants: Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers attending the symposium
• Program: A short introduction to CiRA and a guided facility tour
• Registration: Separate advance registration is required in addition to symposium registration

Stem Cell Reports Special Issue

The ISSCR open-access journal Stem Cell Reports is preparing a special issue in partnership with the iPSC 20th Anniversary Symposium.

• Scope: Fundamental and translational advances involving induced pluripotent stem cells
• Article Types: Original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and commentaries
• Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026

Who Should Attend

• Researchers studying induced pluripotent stem cells and stem cell biology
• Clinicians and scientists working in regenerative medicine and cell therapy
• Researchers involved in disease modeling and drug discovery
• Scientists working with organoids, tissue engineering, and bioengineering
• Industry professionals involved in cell manufacturing, quality control, analytical technologies, and clinical development
• Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists
• Professionals involved in the ethics, policy, and regulation of stem cell research

Overview

The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell technology in 2006 demonstrated that differentiated somatic cells could be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state, fundamentally reshaping the understanding of cellular identity and plasticity. The symposium will review advances in patient-derived disease models, drug screening, organoids, personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, and cell-based therapies. It will also address challenges involving reproducibility, genetic variation, cell quality, manufacturing, clinical translation, ethics, and regulation while setting priorities for the next generation of international iPSC research.

Access to the Venue

• Campus Location: Near the main gate of Kyoto University’s Yoshida Campus
• Kyodai Seimon-mae Bus Stop: Approximately three to five minutes on foot
• Hyakumanben Bus Stop: Approximately five to ten minutes on foot
• From Kyoto Station: Kyoto City Bus No. 206 provides direct access to Kyodai Seimon-mae
• Keihan Railway: Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Demachiyanagi Station
• Address: 36 Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan

Official Links