Dr. Dimitris Valakos, a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Academician Dimitris Thanos at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), participated as an invited speaker at an international symposium organized by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), held in Kyoto, Japan, on October 20–22, 2026.

The symposium marked the 20th anniversary of the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by Shinya Yamanaka, who was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and served as a principal organizer of the event.

The symposium brought together scientists, clinicians, and representatives from biotechnology and cell therapy companies worldwide to reflect on two decades of groundbreaking scientific discoveries and discuss future directions in stem cell research and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Valakos's research was selected as one of only 20 oral presentations from hundreds of submitted abstracts and was highlighted in the ISSCR's official press release as one of the notable research contributions presented at the symposium. His research focuses on how changes in chromatin structure contribute to the reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular reprogramming.

This distinction represents significant international recognition of the research conducted at BRFAA and highlights the Foundation's contribution to fundamental research in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive scientific field.

Further information:
Official ISSCR Press Release