Marcel Daadi

Dr. Marcel Daadi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He leads the Regenerative Medicine & Aging Unit and specializes in neural stem cell biology, focusing on therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and brain injuries. His work bridges translational research and clinical development, including pioneering cryopreserved neural stem cell products for stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

Research Interests: His lab investigates neural stem cell engineering, reprogramming technologies, and preclinical models of neurological disorders. Key areas include dopaminergic neuron generation for Parkinson’s treatment, optogenetic modulation of stem cell fate, and multimodal imaging to monitor therapeutic efficacy. He employs induced pluripotent stem cells, in vitro assays, and nonhuman primate models to study disease mechanisms and regenerative strategies.

Professional Contributions: Previously at UCSF and Stanford, he advanced stem cell programs for stroke therapies and gene therapy trials. Collaborations with companies like NeuroSpheres and Layton Biosciences highlight his industry engagement. His patented methods for neural stem cell engineering are under development for clinical applications.

Labs/Teams: His laboratory integrates neurobehavioral testing, single-cell omics, and immunohistopathology to model diseases and test small molecules, cell therapies, and gene therapies. Current projects emphasize enhancing neuro-regeneration through stem cell grafts and stimulating endogenous repair mechanisms.