Rob Coppes talks about his studies on different kinds of stem cells and progenitor cells with reference to the issues that radiation oncologists need to be aware of at the ESTRO 2011 meeting. He discusses autologous stem cell transplantation - collecting stem cells from an organ which is going to be damaged by radiation and then giving them back after treatment to regenerate the organ. He explains how he will be able to help patients using stem cell therapy and announces that the clinical trial is due to be carried out in 2016.