Editorial overview: Differentiation and disease

Scott A Armstrong is a pediatric oncologist and cancer biologist interested in stem cell like properties in leukemia and developing new therapies that are less toxic and more effective. His work has led to several findings that point to potential new therapies for children and adults with leukemia. This work has been recognized by several awards including the McCulloch and Till Award from the International Society of Experimental Hematology (2009), which recognizes international leaders in stem cell biology; the Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2011); the E. Mead Johnson Award for outstanding research from the Society for Pediatric Research; and the William Dameshek Prize from the American Society of Hematology (2014).

Michael Rape is the K. Peter Hirth Chair of Cancer Biology and a Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California at Berkeley. He is also an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Michael is interested in understanding molecular mechanisms of human cell fate decisions, often using posttranslational modification with ubiquitin as an entry point into these studies. His work has been recognized by an NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2007) or a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise (2013), which honors the three most influential young immigrants in Biomedical Sciences.