The Stem Cell Research Center was established in 2010. The mission of the center is to advance the basic and translational stem cell research for developing novel stem cell-based therapies to treat human diseases. The major research directions of the center include: Stem cells and regenerative medicine; initiation and development of tumor stem cells and its relationship to tumorigenesis; stemness and differentiation of stem cells in reproductive organs; tumor metastasis and tumor stem cell; and myocardial infarction and tissue repair. In the recent years, the PIs of center have achieved a number of scientific discoveries: Dr. Weiqiang Gao' group has reported in “Nature” that a single adult stem cell is capable of generating a functional prostate organ, which has produced significant impact in the field of tissue repair and organ reconstruction; Dr. Jian-xin Gao's laboratory has recently identified the precursors of cancer stem cells, and revealed that germline stem cell gene PIWIL2 is a potential cancer-causing gene; Dr. Jian-xin Gao's laboratory also revealed the mechanisms underlying the self-renew and development of stem cells.
        During the last five years, the PIs of the center have obtained many national research grants including '973 Program' Center Grant, and several general and key NSFC grants. The PIs have also received national 'Thousand-Talents Program' Scholar Award and Shanghai Oriental Scholar Award.
        Currently, the center has 5 PIs, including Prof. Gao Wei-qiang, Prof. Gao Jian-xin, Prof. He Zu-ping, Prof. Li Jun and Prof. Feng Hai-zhong. Prof. Gao Wei-qiang, Director of the center, has made some well-recognized contributions in the field of 'stem cells and tissue regeneration' and 'cancer stem cell research'. Dr. Gao has published 52 papers as either corresponding or the first author, in journals including Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, Nature Neuroscience, PNAS, J. Neuroscience, Development, etc. and has been granted 48 US patents. The center has lab space of 200 square meters in Renji Hospital.