Stem cell translational medicine: The Tianjin model revisited

Stem cells hold great promise for cell therapy to treat a wide spectrum of intractable diseases. Despite enthusiasm for stem cell therapy, the clinical and translational research of stem cells overall has been a slow and cumbersome process. This article uses the "technological system" as a framework to analyze the Tianjin model of stem cell translational medicine. It shows how heterogeneous elements interact with one another and relate to scientific, technological, social, economic, and political variables in order to fulfill the system goal of producing cell therapy in China. Then the strengths and weaknesses of the Tianjin model are compared with translational programs in other countries and the implications for the cell therapy industry are discussed.