Rebuilding The Brain: Stem Cell Therapies For Stroke Recovery & Neurodegeneration
Finding Genius Podcast
Richard Jacobs
4.4 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 11 January 2026
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
How is advanced genetic engineering, stem cell biology, and AI-driven analytics reshaping the future of brain repair? Dr. Ruslan Rust, an Assistant Professor of Research Physiology and Neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, joins the podcast to share his insights…
With over 15 years of translational neuroscience research, Dr. Rust is developing next-generation gene-edited, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived therapies designed to overcome the biggest barriers in cell therapy — crossing the blood-brain barrier, immune rejection, and long-term safety.
Dive in now to find out:
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Why current stem cell therapies struggle in stroke and neurodegenerative disease.
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Where stem cells are harvested.
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How gene-edited iPSC-derived cells are engineered to cross the blood-brain barrier.
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The role of AI and single-cell omics in optimizing brain repair strategies.
With additional training in MBA, bio-entrepreneurship, and scientific leadership, Dr. Rust brings a uniquely pragmatic lens to what it actually takes to turn cutting-edge neuroscience into viable therapies. Listen now for a rare look at how stroke recovery and Alzheimer's treatment may move from experimental promise to real clinical impact.
You can keep up with Ruslan on X or by visiting his USC academic website!
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C
🛍️ Recommended Books from this Episode
📖 The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science – A groundbreaking exploration of neuroplasticity and the transformative power of the brain to heal, adapt, and grow.
👉 Get it here
📘 The Future of the Brain: Essays by the World's Leading Neuroscientists – A collection of essays by top neuroscientists discussing the future of brain research and its implications for health and society.
👉 Check it out
📙 Stem Cells: An Insider's Guide – An in-depth guide to understanding stem cells, their applications, and how they are revolutionizing medicine and healthcare.
👉 Explore it here
📕 Stroke Recovery Activity Book - Large Print: Activities and Puzzles Workbook for Traumatic Brain Injury and Aphasia Rehabilitation – A practical, engaging workbook designed to aid in stroke recovery and brain injury rehabilitation through puzzles and activities.
👉 Discover it here
Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Forget frequently asked questions. |
| 0:02.3 | Common sense. |
| 0:03.1 | Common knowledge. |
| 0:04.1 | Or Google. |
| 0:04.7 | How about advice from a real genius? |
| 0:06.9 | 95% of people in any profession are good enough to be qualified in license. |
| 0:11.3 | 5% go above and beyond. |
| 0:13.1 | They become very good at what they do. |
| 0:14.8 | But only 0.1% are real geniuses. |
| 0:18.2 | Richard Jacobs has made it his life's mission to find them for you. |
| 0:22.2 | He hunts down and interviews geniuses in every field. |
| 0:25.1 | Sleep science, cancer, stem cells, ketogenic diets, and more. |
| 0:28.6 | Here come the geniuses. |
| 0:30.3 | This is the Finding Genius podcast with Richard Jacobs. |
| 0:37.4 | Hello, this is Richard Jacobs with the Finding Genius podcast. |
| 0:41.0 | Yesterday is Ruslan Rust. |
| 0:42.5 | He's an assistant professor of research physiology and neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine |
| 0:47.1 | of University of Southern California. |
| 0:49.2 | He holds the position to have an assistant professor of research, again, physiology and neuroscience, |
| 0:53.9 | at the Zika Neurigenetic Institute and the Zolp research, again, of physiology and neuroscience at the Zilka Neurogenetic |
| 0:55.7 | Institute and the Zolputter for again UFC at the Kek School. We're going to talk about stroke |
| 1:00.1 | damage and how to possibly reverse it using stem cells. So welcome Ruslan. Thanks for coming. |
... |
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