Bone marrow stem cell transplants are some of the most important tools in treating diseases like leukemia and multiple myeloma. However, harvesting enough stem cells for transplantation is often a big issue for doctors. Finding new ways to elicit stem cell mobilization from the bone marrow to improve harvesting could go a long way in improving treatment. Today's episode of Beyond the Abstract features work by scientists who find a surprising role for pain nerves, known as nociceptive neurons, in promoting stem cell mobilization. Ellen and Derek discuss how they stumbled upon this finding and how there might be more to a chili pepper than meets the eye.

Gao et al. Nociceptive nerves regulate haematopoietic stem cell mobilization. Nature, January 2021. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03057-y

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