July 2025
BIOTHERAPIES NEWS: Highlights and Top Stories
BIOTHERAPIES AT AABB: Community and Association News
Cell Notes: A Monthly Column by Christina M. Celluzzi, PhD, MS, CABP(H), Director, Biotherapies, at AABB
Not Just Brains: Rethinking Intelligence Through Cellular Therapies
We’re not just programming cells—we may be teaching them to learn.
As cellular therapies advance, our understanding of intelligence is evolving. Engineered immune and stem cells demonstrate memory, adaptability and decision-making, challenging the idea that intelligence is exclusive to the brain or artificial systems. A new frontier is taking shape—one where biology and computation converge.
In this emerging view, intelligence is not defined by where it lives, but by what it does. Biologist Michael Levin describes intelligence as “the capacity to solve problems in space and time—whether in neurons, silicon, or cytoplasm.” By that standard, cellular therapies are inherently intelligent: CAR-T cells adapt to their environment, stem cells organize based on context, and cellular systems continually respond to cues in ways that resemble purposeful behavior.
Continue reading this month’s “Cell Notes” column, now available on the AABB website >
July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month
AABB joins the health care community in recognizing July as National Cord Blood Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about the life-saving potential of cord blood and its use in treating various diseases. Cord blood, collected from the umbilical cord after birth, contains stem cells that can be used as an alternative to bone marrow in transplants. These stem cells can be crucial in treating a variety of conditions, including blood, immune system and metabolic disorders.
AABB offers several opportunities for those in the blood and biotherapies community to learn more about cord blood:
Join AABB’s Cord Blood Subsection: AABB invites our members to participate in monthly Cord Blood Subsection meetings, which explore a wide range of topics, including public cord blood donor recruitment, informed consent, testing and screening, licensure, international collaboration and family banking.
Attend AABB2025: AABB encourages members to review the program for the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting, taking place Oct. 25-28 in San Diego. This year, AABB is partnering with the Cord Blood Association(CBA) to host Cord Blood Connect as part of the AABB Annual Meeting. This education track will explore emerging topics in mesenchymal stem cells, transplantation and the latest opportunities and challenges in the field.
The CBA Foundation is proud to offer the 2025 CBA Research Scholar Award, providing $50,000 in funding to support promising early-career investigators conducting original research in cord blood. Submit your proposal (PDF) by Friday, Aug. 15, to info@cb-association.org with the subject line: "Research Scholar Award." Review the full application guide for submission guidelines, eligibility and key dates.
Additional information about cord blood and other biotherapies is available on the AABB website.
In July’s AABB News: How to Prepare for the CABP Exam: Practical Study Tips and Tools
AABB’s Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP) exam is a first-of-its-kind certification recognizing professionals with advanced knowledge in biotherapies. Designed to validate expertise across the biotherapies field, including manufacturing, quality, regulatory environments and patient care, the CABP exam is rigorous and comprehensive—but achievable with the right preparation.
With the recent release of AABB’s CABP Study Guide, candidates now have a comprehensive and structured resource to help plan and execute their study approach. The guide provides an overview of the CABP exam, and includes detailed explanations of the seven exam domains, explanation of exam question structure and step-by-step tools like the CABP Self-Assessment and Study Plan tools. These resources are designed to help candidates evaluate their current knowledge, build a personalized study plan and track progress effectively. The Study Guide also includes real-life study tips from certified professionals, making it both practical and motivational.
1. Start With a Self-Assessment
Before you dive into textbooks or study groups, take the CABP Self-Assessment Tool. This helps identify knowledge gaps by rating your familiarity with each exam domain (e.g., basic, intermediate, advanced). Prioritize the topics you rated lowest, especially in areas with the highest exam weighting—quality systems (21%) and operations and equipment (19%).
2. Build a Personalized Study Plan
Read the rest of the article on the AABB News Center.
New AABB Publication Offers Practical Insights on Aseptic Technique for Laboratory Professionals
A new publication from AABB, Aseptic Technique: Safe and Sterile Biological Processing, provides a concise, practical guide designed to support laboratory professionals in applying consistent and effective aseptic practices.
While aseptic procedures are well known among medical professionals, the extent and precision of their application can vary significantly. In this book, expert authors address key questions commonly encountered in daily lab work and offer practical tools to help laboratory staff enhance their understanding and implementation of aseptic techniques critical to safety and quality in clinical and research settings.
Aseptic Technique covers establishing an aseptic workplace, proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of laboratory instruments, and maintaining personal and environmental hygiene. It also addresses the risks of laboratory-acquired infections, environmental monitoring protocols, cleanroom requirements and more.
“A resource like this is invaluable. The content is designed for anyone involved in biological research and processing, from students and laboratory technicians to experienced researchers,” Olive Sturtevant, MHP, MT(ASCP)SBB, SLS, CQA (ASQ), wrote in the publication’s preface. “The importance of aseptic technique cannot be overstated, as it is fundamental to preventing contamination and ensuring the integrity of biological experiments and processes.”
The book’s author and editor Matt Wilgo, CABP(H), adds, “Training on aseptic technique is critical to any biological laboratory, whether the lab is starting out or has been well established in practice. Having a guide to lay the groundwork or review current practices is essential to having a highly successful lab. Like with the AABB standards, we all should be looking for opportunities for continuous improvement.”
This essential resource is now available in print and digital editions in the AABB Store.
AABB2025: New ‘Navigate & Network’ Program Offers Early Connection Opportunities
AABB is pleased to introduce a new “Navigate & Network” program to help 2025 Annual Meeting attendees connect before arriving in San Diego. This pre-meeting initiative matches participants in small groups of three to four people via email ahead of the meeting, providing a simple and welcoming way to meet fellow attendees.
Open to first-time participants seeking to connect or returning attendees looking to share tips and insights, “Navigate & Network” offers attendees an opportunity to build relationships that can enhance the in-person meeting experience. Attendees may opt into the program during the registration process.
“Navigate & Network” is just one of many connection opportunities open to Annual Meeting attendees. AABB is pleased to offer a whole suite of events to exchange ideas and foster collaboration across the entire blood and biotherapies field, including:
New Member and First-Time Attendee Lunch. An orientation lunch for those new to AABB or attending the Annual Meeting for the first time. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet AABB leaders and learn how to take full advantage of the meeting and member benefits.
AABB Volunteer Celebration. A social event recognizing the contributions of AABB volunteers. Open to all attendees, the event will offer networking opportunities and highlight pathways to become more involved in the Association’s volunteer community.
And more!
The AABB Annual Meeting is the premier event for the blood and biotherapies field, taking place Oct. 25-28 in San Diego. For more information on the meeting and to view the full schedule, visit the AABB website.
AABB2025: Save the Cord Foundation Joins 2025 Biotherapies Pavilion
AABB is pleased to welcome the Save the Cord Foundation - Cord Blood Education from a 501c3 non-profit to the Biotherapies Pavilion at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting, taking place Oct. 25-28 in San Diego. Save the Cord Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to promote awareness of the life-saving benefits of cord blood-based therapies.
Save the Cord Foundation will be among several innovative companies and organizations participating in this year’s pavilion, a dedicated networking space in the Exhibit Hall, presented by Abbott. The Biotherapies Pavilion offers biotherapies organizations curated opportunities to connect with key audiences and engage with the broader AABB Annual Meeting community.
Additional participants at this year’s pavilion include BBG Advanced Therapies, Charles River Laboratories, Eurofins CellTx, FerroBio Technologies, Versiti Inc. and Vitalant.
The Biotherapies Pavilion at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting will feature industry expert open-mic conversations, a highlight of the 2023 and 2024 meetings. AABB will announce the schedule for this year's sessions and events in September.
Biotherapies companies interested in securing a networking table or connection package at this year’s pavilion can find additional details in the Biotherapies Pavilion brochure.
In Related News: Biotherapies Pavilion Participant Spotlight: Versiti
This month AABB interviews Nichole Miller, MSTM, SBB, senior director of biomaterial operations at Versiti Inc., a participating organization in the Biotherapies Pavilion at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting.
“One of Versiti's core goals is to deepen our expertise and broaden our services in autologous and allogeneic cellular staring materials, enabled manufacturing, and storing and distributing biotherapies. The cell therapy space is very dynamic and, as a blood collection facility, we are uniquely positioned to be a strategic partner for researchers, manufacturers and developers all along the production pathway.” said Miller.
Miller continues: “I am looking forward to the energetic, passionate and educational environment that focuses on improving and innovating the blood banking, biotherapy and cell therapy field. I am also looking forward to making connections and developing partnerships with those looking to enhance their offerings in the cell therapy space.”
AABB Members to Present During ASTCT’s Gene Therapy Summit
Leaders from the AABB community will present at two education sessions during the ASTCT Gene Therapy Summit, taking place Sept. 10-11 in Boston, Mass.
Mobilization and Apheresis for Gene Therapy: 201
This session will explore expert perspectives on mobilization and apheresis in gene therapy, including pediatric considerations, clinical practices, quality oversight and operational challenges. Speakers will share institutional and disciplinary insights to support safe, effective, and scalable collection strategies.
The session will feature presentations by AABB members Yvette Tanhehco, MD, PhD, of Columbia University; Patricia Shi, MD, of the New York Blood Center; and Cyril Jacquot, MD, PhD, of Children's National Hospital. Suzie Thibodeaux, MD, PhD, CABP(H), of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will moderate.
Accreditation and Onboarding: Is an 80-20 Model Possible in Gene Therapy?
In this session, incoming AABB president Jose A. Cancelas, MD, PhD, CABP, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, will join experts from across the field for a panel discussion focusing on the 80:20 Model in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, how to administer and accredit a gene therapy program, and tensions in oversight.
As part of AABB’s role on the event planning committee, AABB members receive discounted registration to the Gene Therapy Summit, providing a unique opportunity to engage with leaders and colleagues who are accelerating progress in ex vivo gene therapy using hematopoietic stem cells. View the full education program online.
AABB BIOTHERAPIES NEWSFEED: More Updates From the Field
Read more from the AABB Newsfeed, an essential resource offering the latest news, analysis, commentary and updates on critical topics for the blood and biotherapies community.
AABB MEMBERS ZONE: Biotherapies Resources and Events
AABB Accepting Nominations for CT Section Coordinating Committee Members
AABB’s Cellular Therapies (CT) Section is accepting candidate submissions to serve on the Cellular Therapies Section Coordinating Committee (CTSCC). Members of any CT Subsection are eligible to run in the election, which will be conducted virtually in September.
Serving on the CTSCC provides members with opportunities to gain leadership experience, contribute to knowledge sharing and engage with a broad network of professionals across the biotherapies field.
To be considered, candidates must submit the following materials to biotherapies@aabb.org by 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 31:
A statement of intent to seek election, including areas of interest.
A biography of 250 words or fewer.
A photo.
AABB will share candidate information with CT section members in advance of the election.
AABB Update on Cellular Therapies Subsection Activities
As a benefit, AABB members can enroll in AABB subsections, which meet monthly, to enrich their professional experience and to keep informed about happenings in the field of cellular therapy.
Cord Blood (CB) Subsection: Invited speaker, Dimitrios Kouroupis, MSc, PhD, Department of Orthopedics – UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine presented, “Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for MSK Tissue Regeneration: Cell-based and Cell-free Therapeutics.”
Spanish Language Subsection (SLS): The SLS is led by Maria De Los Angeles Muniz, MD; co-leader in transfusion medicine JOSE A PEREZ-CARRILLO, MD. PhD. DBA. MHA, specialist in clinical pathology and epidemiology and director of the blood bank of Clínica Colsanitas, Colombia; and Carlos Ferrari Rebolledo, laboratory head at VidaCel, Chile. The SLS discusses transfusion medicine and cell therapy to include topics of interest to all our members. AABB invites Spanish-speaking members of the blood and biotherapies community to become a member of AABB and continue to grow the SLS. Past presentations can be viewed by AABB members on the AABB subsection projects web page.
Remember to subscribe to CellSource, share and comment.
Not an AABB Member?
Join AABB to gain access to essential benefits, including professional development opportunities, critical tools and resources, and opportunities to collaborate with leaders in the field. Be a part of a diverse community of health care professionals working to make transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available and effective worldwide. Find out more on the AABB website.