In modern cell biology, the concept of plasticity is associated with a vast body of work, including studies on pluripotent status, mechanisms of regeneration and oncogenesis, biotechnological applications, mathematical models of cell differentiation, bioinformatic analysis of developmental and differentiation trajectories, and much more. There is extensive literature available on each of these areas, including reviews. A comprehensive examination of all the details and aspects of the development of the theory of cellular plasticity would require a separate extensive study. The purpose of this review is to briefly outline the main milestones in the evolution of the concept of cellular plasticity, from the classical deterministic paradigm to modern views based on dynamic systems, epigenetic landscapes, and attractors. Key discoveries and their significance for the development of the concept of cellular plasticity are discussed.

In October 2026, the biomedical community marks twenty years since the publication of the landmark paper by Takahashi and Yamanaka (2006), which first demonstrated that a differentiated cell could be induced to acquire a pluripotent state [1].

In the two decades since the first induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) colonies were obtained, somatic cell reprogramming has developed into an important experimental platform in both basic biology and medicine. iPSC-based systems are now used to model not only monogenic disorders but also complex multifactorial diseases. Their experimental potential has been further expanded by genome editing, single-cell sequencing technologies and the development of organoid models that reproduce selected aspects of organogenesis. More recently, differentiated derivatives of iPSCs have begun to enter the field of cell-based therapies and are being evaluated as biomedical cell products. Yet the historical importance of the original experiment remains difficult to overstate. Starting with 24 candidate genes, five six-well plates and only 22 surviving colonies, it led to a fundamentally new view of cellular plasticity. The work ultimately contributed to the 2012 Nobel Prize and laid the foundation for an entire area of regenerative medicine that is now moving into a more mature, clinically oriented phase. This review discusses the experimental developments that preceded the discovery of induced pluripotency, summarizes the major advances achieved over the following two decades, and considers the directions in which the field is likely to develop further.

Alexander Maximow (1874–1928) was a prominent Russian histologist and pathologist. At the beginning of the 20th century, his work on pre- and postnatal hemocytopoiesis in animals and humans placed him among the world’s foremost scientists. Based on theoretical concepts of hierarchically structured and evolutionarily predetermined living systems, A.A. Maximow developed the concept of unitary hematopoiesis, which he refined over the course of three decades. In the second half of the last century, his viewpoint was largely confirmed empirically, becoming the scientific and practical basis for bone marrow (hematopoietic stem cell) transplantation, and analytically, using various modern experimental, molecular, and other research methods. He published more than 100 scientific papers. A.A. Maximow’s scientific papers and textbooks continue to inspire researchers and remain a source of knowledge and new ideas.

The article presents a historical reference about the founders of bone marrow transplantation, the first transplantation in the USSR carried out under the supervision of the department head, hematologist doctor Baranov A.E. and his subsequent achievements.

The article is devoted to the scientific legacy of Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov, the founder of vital organ transplantation. On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the scientist’s birth, it is particularly relevant to re‑evaluate his achievements, which were far ahead of their time. The paper presents the most important results of V. P. Demikhov’s research in the 1940s–1960s: first experimental intrathoracic heterotopic heart transplantation in a dog, transplantation of the heart‑lung complex and an isolated lung, mammary‑coronary bypass surgery, as well as developments in preserving isolated organs and creating a prototype artificial heart. The article analyses possible biological mechanisms for reducing the rejection reaction — in particular, the role of cross‑circulation and chimerisation of immune cells.

The account reflects V. P. Demikhov’s challenging professional path and highlights the scientist’s contribution to related fields, including the creation of a prototype organ bank for transplantation. In the final part, the relevance of V. P. Demikhov’s legacy for modern transplantation is emphasised, with special attention paid to the promising direction of integrating transplantation with regenerative medicine and bioengineering. The advantages and limitations of stem and progenitor cells as tools for creating personalised tissues and organs are analysed.

Tissue engineering is one of the areas of regenerative medicine focused on the design and development of tissue-engineered constructs (TECs) capable of restoring, replacing, or supporting the function of damaged tissues. Biodegradable scaffolds — biomimetic analogues of the extracellular matrix that provide spatial organization of cells and modulate cellular behavior — constitute a key component of most TECs. This review examines the historical foundations of tissue engineering and the evolving concepts behind TECs. Biodegradable scaffolds are considered the principal platform for the majority of current tissue engineering approaches and a critical determinant of their future clinical translation. We summarize data on scaffold materials, forms, and fabrication technologies, including decellularization, electrospinning, cryostructuring, 3Dprinting, and bioprinting, and outline the design requirements for TECs according to the target tissue. Methods for physicochemical and biological evaluation of TECs in vitro and in vivo are reviewed, together with challenges related to standardization of assessment protocols. Using cartilage, liver, and pancreas TECs as examples, we illustrate the capabilities and limitations of contemporary tissue engineering strategies. Major barriers to clinical translation are analyzed, including vascularization, immune-inflammatory responses, selection of cell sources, the need for scalable manufacturing, and regulatory considerations. Emerging directions in the field are discussed, such as personalized constructs, prevascularization strategies, 3D bioprinting, and integration with gene-based approaches. The aim of this review is to examine the evolution, current status, and clinical prospects of TECs based on biodegradable scaffolds.

The article presents a historical reference about the founders of cardiovascular gene therapy, the first gene therapy clinical application carried out by doctor Jaffrey Isner in patient with critical limb ischemia and his invaluable contribution to thе area of cardiovascular gene therapy.