Stem-Cell Aging and Pathways to Precancer Evolution

From University of California Video Podcasts (Video) by UCTV

June 5, 2026 · 22 min

About this episode

Catriona Jamieson discusses the impact of stem cell aging and the pathways leading to precancer evolution, including the effects of spaceflight on stem cells.

Pre-cancer and cancer can begin when stressed blood-forming stem cells lose their normal controls. Catriona Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D., UC San Diego, explains how inflammation-linked editing enzymes, repetitive elements in the genome, and stem cell stress shape the progression from myeloproliferative neoplasms to acute myeloid leukemia. Jamison examines how spaceflight accelerates stem cell aging, how some astronauts mobilize a resilient regenerative stem cell population, and how tumor organoids in space help reveal drug responses by activating the enzyme ADAR1. This work helps explain how cancer starts, why it can return, and how space-based research may speed the development of therapies that stop malignant stem cells before disease advances. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 41473]

People in this episode

Host: UCTV

Guest: Catriona Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D.

Topics covered

stem cells
cancer
pre-cancer
spaceflight
regenerative medicine
myeloproliferative neoplasms
acute myeloid leukemia

Keywords

stem cell aging
cancer evolution
inflammation
ADAR1
tumor organoids
space-based research
myeloproliferative neoplasms
acute myeloid leukemia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UC San Diego