Dear CTRMS Members,

I trust this message finds you well.

Over the past five months, the CTRMS leadership has engaged in a thorough and deliberate review of the Society’s bylaws. This effort has been guided by careful consideration, extensive discussion, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring that our organizational framework remains aligned with the evolving needs of our field and our membership.

We now present a revised set of bylaws for your formal consideration and approval. These proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the Society’s governance, modernize its structure, and enhance its capacity to effectively advance our mission. Collectively, these changes will position CTRMS to operate with greater agility, transparency, and impact in the field of transplantation and regenerative medicine.

We firmly believe that the proposed revisions represent a comprehensive and forward-looking framework that will significantly benefit the Society and its members. Accordingly, we respectfully encourage you not only to participate in the voting process, but to endorse the proposed bylaws in their entirety. Your support will be instrumental in enabling CTRMS to move forward with a unified and strengthened foundation.

Your participation in this process is both essential and greatly valued. The strength and legitimacy of our Society depend on the active engagement and collective judgment of its membership.

The full text of the current and proposed bylaws as well as detailed instructions for voting are below.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Bylaws Committee—Drs. Jon Odorico, Ekaterine Berishvili, and Hongjun Wang—for their outstanding leadership and dedicated efforts throughout this process. Their commitment, thoughtful contributions, and significant investment of time have been instrumental in developing a comprehensive and forward-looking set of proposed revisions.

On behalf of the leadership, I thank you for your continued commitment to CTRMS and for your engagement in shaping its future.

Respectfully,

Giuseppe Orlando, MD, PhD, Marie Curie Fellow
President, CTRMS

A recent Cell study by Du et al. introduces a mitochondrial transplantation method that advances regenerative medicine at the organelle level. The researchers describe an erythrocyte membrane-encapsulated mitochondrial delivery system that enables efficient transfer of intact, bioenergetically active mitochondria across species into recipient cells and tissues. This approach addresses a key technical limitation that has previously hindered the translational development of mitochondrial replacement strategies.

This method, termed mitochondrial capsules, demonstrated that donor mitochondria can enter recipient cells, largely evade lysosomal degradation, integrate into endogenous mitochondrial networks, and contribute functional mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In cellular models, transplantation restored oxidative phosphorylation, ATP production, and mitochondrial ultrastructure in mtDNA-depleted cells, and reduced pathogenic mtDNA deletions and point mutations in patient-derived fibroblasts. These findings indicate functional and sustained mitochondrial complementation rather than transient metabolic support.

The study extends this platform to in vivo disease models relevant to regenerative transplantation. Systemic or targeted delivery resulted in donor mitochondrial distribution to multiple organs, including the brain and liver. In genetic models of mitochondrial disease (Ndufs4 and Dguk-deficient mice), mitochondrial capsule treatment improved physiological outcomes, enhanced mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, and mitigated tissue pathology. In a neurodegenerative context, repeated transplantation preserved dopaminergic neurons and restored mitochondrial function in an MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease mouse model, leading to sustained functional improvements that exceeded those observed with free mitochondria delivery.

Collectively, this work establishes organelle transplantation as a scalable therapeutic strategy positioned between gene-level correction and whole-organ replacement. By demonstrating functional integration of donor mitochondria across cellular and organismal disease contexts, the study aligns closely with CTRMS’s mission to accelerate translational platforms that de-risk innovation and bridge experimental feasibility to clinical relevance. Encapsulated mitochondrial transplantation thus represents a significant advance in organelle-based regenerative therapies and expands the conceptual and technological toolkit for future regenerative transplantation efforts.

Charlie Ren, Chair, YIC
Astgik Petrosyan, Co-Chair, YIC
Sophie Maiocchi, Co-Chair, YIC

A recent Nature Medicine study led by the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine reports the successful use of extracorporeal liver cross‑circulation (ELC) with genetically engineered porcine livers to provide temporary hepatic support in brain‑dead human subjects maintained on organ support. In this proof‑of‑concept, pig livers carrying multiple human‑compatible edits, including glycan knockouts, human transgene insertions, and PERV inactivation, were connected to four individuals with irreversible neurologic injury.

The system maintained physiological and metabolic stability for 72-84 hours, with sustained bile production, ammonia clearance, and glucose regulation, alongside preserved liver architecture and minimal immune response under limited immunosuppression. In one case, the xenogeneic liver alone supported full metabolic function for 48 hours following removal of the native liver.

In the context of donor organ scarcity, xenogeneic ELC represents a promising step toward on‑demand, immunologically engineered organ support. By demonstrating that genetically engineered xenogeneic organs can sustain human physiology, the study aligns with CTRMS’s dedication to facilitating the clinical translation of pioneering therapies and addressing the complex regulatory issues that accompany these advancements. This study also exemplifies the power of academia-industry collaboration by integrating academic clinical expertise with industrial advances in genetic engineering and organ‑support technology, enabling a rigorously controlled translational platform that accelerates the path from experimental xenogeneic organ support to realistic clinical application. This directly reflects CTRMS’s focus on providing a cross‑sector platform that facilitates such partnerships to de‑risk innovation, and expedite clinical translation of regenerative transplantation technologies.

Importantly, by validating functional cross‑species liver perfusion in brain‑dead human subjects, the study provides the closest possible physiological bridge toward living clinical applications. This work establishes a translational foundation for future extracorporeal xenogeneic liver support trials and underscores CTRMS’s broader mission to move regenerative transplantation from feasibility toward real-life clinical impact.

Charlie Ren, Chair, YIC
Astgik Petrosyan, Co-Chair, YIC
Sophie Maiocchi, Co-Chair, YIC

Esteemed colleagues and dear friends,

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new CTRMS feature, Regenerative Transplantation Watch. Through this initiative, we will regularly highlight and critically comment on major breakthroughs in the scientific literature relevant to our field, with the goal of keeping the CTRMS community informed, engaged, and at the forefront of regenerative transplantation research. This effort will be led by the Young Investigator Committee under the leadership of Charlie Ren, Sophie Maiocchi, and Astgik Petrosyan.

The recent Nature Biotechnology manuscript from University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41862601/) describing a bioengineered graft for infants with long-gap oesophageal atresia represents a defining milestone for regenerative transplantation. For CTRMS, this work exemplifies the precise convergence our society is tasked to advance.

This achievement moves tissue replacement toward true organ engineering and regeneration. By integrating porcine decellularized biological scaffolds with autologous cells, the investigators demonstrated the feasibility of a living, functional construct capable of growth, remodeling, and long-term integration—without the burden of immunosuppression. In pediatric transplantation, where durability and developmental adaptability are essential, this represents a paradigm shift.

From a CTRMS perspective, this work validates the strategic imperative of aligning transplantation expertise with tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and advanced biomanufacturing. The fundamental changes CTRMS is undertaking aim to accelerate exactly this type of translation—bridging academic innovation, clinical need, and scalable solutions through structured collaboration with industry, biotechnology, and regulatory stakeholders.

Importantly, the clinical challenge addressed here could not be solved by any single discipline. It required the language of surgery, the tools of regenerative biology, and the rigor of translational engineering. This interdisciplinary success reinforces CTRMS’s mission to provide a unified platform where such collaborations are not episodic, but systematic.

As we look ahead to the 2027 CTRMS Congress, to be announced soon, this work offers a powerful preview of what regenerative transplantation can—and should—become. The engineered oesophagus may represent a single organ, but its implications extend across the entire transplant landscape. Our mission is to ensure that such breakthroughs are not isolated achievements, but scalable models that redefine standards of care.

Giuseppe Orlando, President, CTRMS
Alice Tomei, President Elect, CTRMS

Charlie Ren, Chair, YIC
Astgik Petrosyan, Co-Chair, YIC
Sophie Maiocchi, Co-Chair, YIC

Dear CTRMS Members,

I am thrilled to share a major milestone in the evolution of our society. CTRMS is proud to announce the establishment of new committees that will form the backbone of our organization and drive its scientific and educational mission forward.

These committees are designed to foster collaboration, generate cutting-edge scientific content, and create impactful initiatives that will strengthen CTRMS’s role as a global leader in transplantation and regenerative medicine. Each committee will focus on a strategic area, ensuring that our society remains at the forefront of innovation and thought leadership. Below is the list of the committees with their Chairs and Co-Chairs:

• Patient Advocacy:
  Silke Niederhaus, MD, FACS, FAST
  Professor of Surgery, Associate Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  (sniederhaus@som.umaryland.edu)


• Mitochondrial Transplantation:
  James D. McCully, PhD
  Associate Professor, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  (james.mccully@childrens.harvard.edu)
  Kelsey Fisherwellman, PhD
  Associate Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
  (kelsey.fisherwellman@advocatehealth.org)


• Nephro-Urology:
  Laura Perin, PhD
  Associate Professor, Co-Director, GOFARR Laboratory at Children’s Hospital
  Vice Chair of Research Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
  (lperin@chla.usc.edu)
  Roger De Filippo, MD
  Associate Professor, Chief of Pediatric Urology, Co-Director, GOFARR Laboratory at Children’s Hospital, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
  (rdefilippo@chla.usc.edu)


• Space Medicine:
  Sang Jin Lee, PhD
  Biofabrication Core Leader at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, USA
  (sang.lee@wfusm.edu)


• Enabling Technologies:
  Lorenzo Moroni, PhD
  Professor, Director, MERLIN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
  (l.moroni@maastrichtuniversity.nl)


• Angiogenesis: Andrea Banfi, MD,
  Associate Professor, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
  (andrea.banfi@usb.ch)


• Encapsulation:
  Klearchos Papas, PhD
  Director of the Institute for Cellular Transplantation, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
  Treasurer and Past President, CTRMS
  (kkpapas@surgery.arizona.edu)


• Organ Preservation and Repair:
  Renato Romagnoli, MD
  FEBS, Professor, Director, Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University of Turin, Italy
  (renato.romagnoli@unito.it)
  Jason Wellen, MD, MBA
  Professor, Director Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
  (jrwellen@wustl.edu)


• Xenotransplantation:
  Raphael Meier, MD, PhD
  Associate Professor, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  Councilor, International Xenotransplant Association
  (rmeier@som.umaryland.edu)


• Regenerative Oncology:
  Kostas Votanopoulos, MD PhD
  Professor, Director, Wake Forest Organoid Research Center (WFORCE), Department of Surgery, Winston Salem, NC, USA
  (konstantinos.votanopoulos@wfusm.edu)


• Clinical Trial:
  Hongjun Wang, PhD
  Professor, Director, Center for Cellular Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
  (wangho@musc.edu)
  Michal Wszola, MD, PhD
  Founder and CEO, Polbionica SA, Warsaw, Poland
  (michal.wszola@polbionica.com)


• Airways:
  David Lott, MD
  Professor, Chair, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery/Audiology
  Director, Mayo Clinic Head and Neck Regenerative Medicine & Transplantation Program, Mayo Clinic Arizona, USA
  (lott.david@mayo.edu)


• Cardiovascular:
  Toshiharu Shinoka, MD PhD
  Professor, Ohio State University. Director, Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, USA
  (toshiharu.shinoka@nationwidechildrens.org)
  Atta Behfar, MD PhD
  Professor, Director, Translation for the Center for Regenerative Medicine
  Medical Director, Advanced Product Incubator
  Director, Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, USA
  (behfar.atta@mayo.edu)

I will have the honor to supervise the Young Investigator Committee whose new Chair is Charlier (Xi) Ren, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (xir@andrew.cmu.edu). The committee will be Co-Chaired by Sophie Maiocchi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Surgery-Hypertension, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC USA (Sophie.Maiocchi@wfusm.edu), and Astgik Petrosyan, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, GOFARR lab, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA (apetrosyan@chla.usc.edu). This formidable trio of rising stars will propel the YIC to new heights, advancing its mission with fresh ideas, collaborative energy, and an unwavering commitment to the next generation of transplant and regenerative medicine leaders.

CTRMS President-Elect Alice Tomei, PhD, chairs the Education Committee, one of the pillars of our society. The mission of the Education Committee is to design, coordinate, and implement educational initiatives that promote excellence, disseminate knowledge, and strengthen expertise in regenerative transplantation. David Lott and Rohan Paul will co-chair the committee. David’s profile is described above. Rohan Paul MBBS, FASN, is an Assistant Professor with Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Section of Transplantation, St Louis, MO, USA (paulrs@wustl.edu). The next webinar organized by the committee will be announced soon, but I can already share that it is planned for April and will feature two world‑class speakers: Toshiharu Shinoka, a pioneer in vascular bioengineering, and Atta Behfar, a leading expert in regenerative cardiology. Both are also serving our society as Chair and Co‑Chairs of the Cardiovascular Committee mentioned above.

Through these committees, CTRMS aims to:

• Develop high-quality scholarly outputs, including publications, webinars, and consensus statements.
• Shape the scientific program for CTRMS conferences and workshops.
• Expand outreach and engagement across the global transplant and regenerative medicine community.
• Build partnerships with leading societies and industry stakeholders to accelerate progress.

The newly established Code of Conduct and Bylaws Committees will be instrumental in fortifying the Society’s organizational structure, promoting accountability, and ensuring that our expanding community operates with clarity, fairness, and unified purpose. The Code of Conduct Committee will be led by CTRMS Councilors Doris Taylor, Graziella Pellegrini, and Julie Allickson, while the Bylaws Committee will be chaired by CTRMS Councilors Jon Odorico, Ekaterine Berishvili, and Hongjun Wang.

Additional strategic committees are currently under evaluation. If you are interested in joining any committee, please reach out directly to the respective Chairs and Co‑Chairs. Also, I encourage you to suggest and lead new committees that could further enhance our work, as long as they clearly support the CTRMS mission, vision, and strategic direction. Your ideas can help shape the society’s next phase of growth!

This is an exciting opportunity for all of us to contribute, collaborate, and make a lasting impact on the Society.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to CTRMS. Together, we are building a stronger, more dynamic society that will shape the future of transplantation and regenerative medicine.

Warm regards,

Giuseppe Orlando, MD, PhD, Marie Curie Fellow
President, CTRMS

Dear CTRMS Members, Dear friends,

It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I announce an important milestone in the history of our Society: CTRMS has now officially reached 300 members. This achievement reflects the growing global community of scientists, clinicians, engineers, and innovators who believe in the mission of advancing cell transplantation and regenerative medicine.

Reaching 300 members is not only a celebration—it is a launchpad. The field we represent, Regenerative Transplantation, is expanding rapidly, and CTRMS is uniquely positioned to shape its future – as we have explained during the January webinar (see link below). To do that, we must continue growing our community of bright minds and dedicated contributors.

As we look ahead, we have set an ambitious and exciting goal:

1,000 members by the end of 2027, aligned with our upcoming CTRMS Conference whose details will be communicated soon. With your help, this goal is absolutely within reach!

Here is a simple but powerful challenge for all of us: If each of our 300 members were to recruit just five new colleagues, we would reach 1,500 members immediately. Imagine the impact—greater visibility, stronger collaboration, and an even more vibrant exchange of ideas that accelerates discovery.

I warmly invite each of you to become an ambassador for CTRMS. Encourage colleagues, trainees, and collaborators to join us. Share with them the value of belonging to a society that is positioned at the intersection between transplantation and regenerative medicine, where elements from both worlds converge, innovation is nurtured, young investigators are supported, and global collaboration is strengthened.

ogether, we will continue shaping the field and building a Society worthy of the science we serve.

With my very best wishes,

Giuseppe Orlando, MD, PhD, Marie Curie Fellow
President, CTRMS

Dear CTRMS Members,

Happy New Year!

As President of CTRMS, I am delighted to announce the creation of the Patient Advocacy Committee, a new initiative that reflects our commitment to placing patients at the heart of our mission.

We are honored that Dr. Silke Niederhaus—a two-time kidney transplant recipient and a distinguished kidney-pancreas transplant surgeon—has agreed to serve as the inaugural Chair of this committee. Her unique perspective as both a patient and a clinician embodies the spirit of this endeavor.

Including the patient voice in our work is essential. We have much to learn from those living with end-stage organ failure—their hopes, ideas, and expectations for future therapies, including regenerative medicine, will guide us toward meaningful innovation.

To build an engaged and diverse committee, we invite your help in identifying potential members. Ideal candidates may include:

• Patients living with end-stage organ failure (across different organs) who are interested in this topic and able to join online meetings.
• Tisssue engineering and regenerative medicine specialists or clinicians with a personal connection to organ failure and firsthand experience with the limitations of current therapies.
• Nominations from across the globe to ensure a truly international perspective.

If you know someone who might be a good fit, please confirm their interest and permission to share their name and email address, and forward this information to Dr. Niederhaus at sniederhaus@som.umaryland.edu.

Thank you for helping us make CTRMS stronger, more inclusive, and more impactful. Together, we can elevate the patient voice to shape a bold new era—an era we proudly call Regenerative Transplantation, where innovation and compassion redefine the future of transplant medicine.”

Warm regards,

Giuseppe Orlando, MD, PhD, Marie Curie Fellow
President, CTRMS

Esteemed colleagues, dear friends,

As we approach the end of this calendar year, I would like to extend, on behalf of the entire Council, our warmest wishes to each of you. This season offers a welcome moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the dedication, collaboration, and spirit that define our community.

Thank you for your continued commitment to CTRMS and for the energy you bring to our shared mission. Your contributions strengthen our organization and inspire our work every day.

e wish you a joyful holiday season, a peaceful end to the year, and a bright, fulfilling start to 2026. May the coming year bring you good health, renewed enthusiasm, and many opportunities to thrive—both personally and professionally.

With appreciation and best wishes,

Giuseppe Orlando, MD, PhD, Marie Curie Fellow
President, CTRMS

Esteemed Colleagues, Dear Friends,

It is with great honor and a profound sense of responsibility that I assume the role of President of the Cell Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Society (CTRMS). I am deeply grateful for the confidence you have placed in me and for the opportunity to serve this distinguished community of scientists, clinicians, and innovators.

I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the councilors who have served CTRMS in the past and have rotated out in Tokyo, and the appreciation for the many people who made the 2025 Congress in Tokyo such a great success.

CTRMS occupies a unique position at the intersection of transplantation and regenerative medicine. Though distinct, these disciplines share a common lineage in Alexis Carrel and a unified purpose: advancing therapies that restore function and transform patient outcomes. Over the past several years, we have observed both extraordinary progress and persistent gaps in collaboration between these fields. Our foremost objective during this presidency is to strengthen these connections, fostering an integrated approach that accelerates scientific discovery and clinical translation.

CTRMS will focus on the following priorities:

• Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Establish structured opportunities for dialogue and joint projects between transplantation and regenerative medicine communities
• Strengthening Global Partnerships: Engage with international societies and institutions to broaden CTRMS’s reach and impact.
• Expanding Educational Initiatives: Develop advanced training programs and workshops to equip members with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
• Fostering Member Engagement: Create platforms for active participation in committees, working groups, and strategic planning.
• Advocacy and Policy Development: Position CTRMS as a voice in shaping regulatory frameworks and ethical standards for cell-based and regenerative therapies.
• Equity and Access: Promote initiatives that ensure global access to advanced therapies, addressing disparities in healthcare delivery.

We will achieve this vision through:

• Dedicated Task Forces and Committees: We will establish specialized groups to lead initiatives in education, research, and policy.
• Collaborative Platforms: Launch virtual forums and working groups to connect experts across disciplines and geographies.
• Educational Programs: Develop webinars, workshops, and possibly fellowship opportunities to disseminate best practices and emerging science. As you know, CTRMS already offers quarterly webinars on the TTS platform, however we will secure a strategic partnership with the American Society of Transplantation (AST), the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) and the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT) to cosponsor the AST-TERMIS-ISCT webinar series. The webinar series, convening leading experts in the fields of cell, tissue, and organ transplantation as well as regenerative medicine, was inaugurated in 2021. Organized on a bimonthly basis through the TERMIS platform, the series attained its twenty-fourth installment in November 2025.
• Strategic Partnerships: Formalize collaborations with leading institutions, societies, and industry partners to amplify impact.
• Endorsement Program: Our society is committed to amplifying initiatives that align with our mission and strategic priorities. We aim to support members in leadership roles by formally endorsing institutional programs that reflect CTRMS’s vision and values. If you hold a leadership position at your institution, we warmly invite you to request endorsement for your programs, initiatives, or collaborative projects. To explore endorsement opportunities, please contact us at giuseppe.orlando@wfusm.edu
• Global Outreach: Expand CTRMS’s presence and membership through the globe.

I therefore invite you to take an active part in shaping the future of CTRMS. Here are immediate steps you can take:

• Join or Propose a Committee or Working Group: Visit CTRMS to express your interest and contribute to strategic initiatives.
• Share Your Ideas: Email us at giuseppe.orlando@wfusm.edu with proposals for educational programs, collaborative projects, or policy development.

I am pleased to announce that planning for the 2027 CTRMS Congress is underway. This landmark event will be hosted at a venue emblematic of our commitment to excellence and global impact. More to come.

Together, we can ensure that CTRMS remains at the forefront of innovation and continues to deliver transformative solutions for patients worldwide.

Thank you for your dedication and support. I look forward to working with each of you in advancing the mission of CTRMS.

With highest regards,

Giuseppe Orlando, MD, PhD, Marie Curie Fellow
President, CTRMS