The purpose of Stem Cell Reviews and Reports is to cover contemporary and emerging areas in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The journal will consider for publication:i) solicited or unsolicited reviews of topical areas of stem cell biology that highlight, critique and synthesize recent important findings in the field. ii) full length and short reports presenting original experimental work. iii) translational stem cell studies describing results of clinical trials using stem cells as therapeutics. iv) papers focused on diseases of stem cells. v) hypothesis and commentary articles as opinion-based pieces in which authors can propose a new theory, interpretation of a controversial area in stem cell biology, or a stem cell biology question or paradigm. These articles contain more speculation than reviews, but they should be based on solid rationale. vi) protocols as peer-reviewed procedures that provide step-by-step descriptions, outlined in sufficient detail, so that both experts and novices can apply them to their own research. vii) letters to the editor and correspondence. In order to facilitate this exchange of scientific information and exciting novel ideas, the journal has created five thematic sections, focusing on: i) the role of adult stem cells in tissue regeneration; ii) progress in research on induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells and mechanism governing embryogenesis and tissue development; iii) the role of microenvironment and extracellular microvesicles in directing the fate of stem cells; iv) mechanisms of stem cell trafficking, stem cell mobilization and homing with special emphasis on hematopoiesis; v) the role of stem cells in aging processes and cancerogenesis.