Report on ISN Forefronts, Florence, Italy, 12-15 September 2013: stem cells and kidney regeneration

In recent years it has become clear that most organs and tissues, including kidney, contain resident stem/progenitor cells. Stem cells are undifferentiated, long-lived cells that are unique in their ability to produce differentiated daughter cells and to retain their stem cell identity by self-renewal. A primary goal of this meeting was to review the current understanding of kidney stem cells and mechanisms of kidney regeneration in both lower vertebrates and mammals. Presenters covered a broad range of topics including stem cell quiescence, epigenetics, transcriptional control circuits, dedifferentiation, pluripotent stem cells, renal progenitors, and novel imaging approaches in kidney regeneration. By the end of this highly interactive conference it was clear we are entering into very exciting times for regenerative medicine and the kidney.