Stem cell research began in the 1950s, when scientists tried to explore new ways to prevent incurable disorders. However, the advancements made in the field proved that stem cells can also be used for tissue repair in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as well as treatment of genetic diseases and cancer. Thanks to stem cell sciences, it seems that in the near future the humankind will no longer have concerns about the loss of vital tissues.

The history of stem cell research in Iran goes back to the first hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in 1990s. Since 1994, Iranian researchers have published several papers in stem cell-related fields in high impact journals. By 2004, stem cell studies in Iran were developed to include embryonic stem cell research, which led to derivation of new lines of stem cells in the country.

Since early 2005, Iranian researchers have also been engaged in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Publishing valuable articles in the credible international journals in these fields has been a continuous trend among Iranian researchers ever since.

The Council for Stem Cell Sciences and Technologies affiliated to the Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology was established in February 2009 in an effort to accelerate the county’s progress in this strategic area and keep pace with other countries. The national document of stem cell sciences and technologies was also approved as part of the country’s national comprehensive scientific map in September 2013 at the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.

Iran’s headway towards stem cell sciences and regenerative medicine, despite limited investments, reveals the country’s enormous capacity for growth in these fields. In terms of published papers in the field of stem cell sciences and regenerative medicine, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ranked first in the Middle East and Islamic countries and second among the East Mediterranean and North African countries.

It is hoped that upon increase in the investments in stem cell research, Iran would be among the world’s top 10 countries by 2025 in terms of science and wealth creation in this novel area of research.

Stem Cell Technology