Cell Fate, Stem Cells and Regeneration – CFSR
NOTE: Starts with the October 2026 Council round submission dates (Cycle I due dates). This study section was evaluated as part of CSR’s ENQUIRE process to align study sections with advances in science. Learn more about ENQUIRE.
The Cell Fate, Stem Cells, and Regeneration Study Section reviews applications covering topics in developmental and regeneration biology using diverse animal and ex vivo models, to understand the regulation of cellular specification and differentiation in embryogenesis and adulthood. Studies of embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells, and their capacity for reprogramming, regeneration and repair are appropriate. Cell biological, biochemical, genetic, imaging and molecular approaches to address questions at the level of tissues, organs and the whole organism.
Review Dates
A roster for the panel will be posted here, at least 30 days prior to the review meeting
Topics
- Specification and differentiation of cell types during embryonic development, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms
- Establishment and maintenance of polarity in eggs and early embryos; tracing of cell lineage, cell migration, gastrulation
- Cell lineage and pattern formation: establishing and refining boundaries and cellular identities that lead to morphological and biochemical patterns; signal transduction pathways and signal integration during development
- Biology of stem cells: formation, maintenance, potency, and reprogramming; mechanisms of commitment and differentiation, gene regulation and epigenetics; signaling between stem cells and their niche
- Modeling developmental processes and diseases with stem cells, organoids, and in vitro models of embryogenesis
- Regulatory networks: whole genome approaches to profile and analyze regulatory networks in development particularly in the context of pattern formation, birth defects, and embryonic development
- Control of normal growth and tissue maintenance; developmental pathways in wound healing
- Stem cell mediated regeneration and repair in response to injury or disease across diverse animal models
- Comparative approaches to understand development, regeneration, and evolution of conserved mechanisms of development
Shared Interests and Overlaps
There are shared interests with Tissue Formation and Organogenesis (TFO) in embryonic development processes. Applications that focus on specification and differentiation of cell types during embryogenesis, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications that focus on cellular events leading to tissue formation and organogenesis during development may be reviewed in TFO.
There are shared interests with Biology and Development of Eye (BDE) in eye development. Applications that focus on early cell fate in visual system may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications focused on studying normal and abnormal retinal and ocular development may be reviewed in BDE.
There are shared interests with Gametogenesis and Development of Reproductive Systems (GDRS) in the investigation of germ stem cell biology. Applications that focus on germ stem cell niche and germ stem cell differentiation may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications that focus on germ cell biology, such as meiosis, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and fertilization may be reviewed in GDRS.
There are shared interests with Hemostasis, Thrombosis, Blood Cells and Transfusion (HTBT) in hematopoietic stem cell biology. Applications that emphasize fundamental hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell biology during early embryonic development may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications that emphasize hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in hematopoiesis, transplantation, homing, migration, and gene therapy may be reviewed in HTBT.
There are shared interests with Nervous System Development and Repair (NSDR) in neuronal development. Applications that focus on stem cell differentiation into neuronal phenotypes, neural stem cell biology, cell fate determination in early nervous system development may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications that focus on mechanisms of neurogenesis and gliogenesis, and related aspects of plasticity may be reviewed in NSDR.
There are shared interests with Skeletal Development and Regeneration (SDR). Applications that focus on studying regulatory networks in initial patterning of craniofacial and skeletal tissues during development may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications studying craniofacial and skeletal development and patterning may be assigned to SDR.
There are shared interests with Skin and Connective Tissue Sciences (SCTS) in skin development and wound healing. Applications focused on studying cell fate in skin development during early embryogenesis or understanding the role of stem cells and developmental pathways in wound healing may be reviewed in CFSR. Applications that focus on biology and physiology of wound healing may be reviewed in SCTS.
There are shared interests with Basic Biology of Blood, Heart and Vasculature (BBHV) in stem cell biology and cell fate decisions in hematopoietic and cardiac cell lineages.
