If you’re interested in stem cell biology or science communication, this project shows how design can make complex ideas easier to understand.

The Goins Lab at Stanford studies how a stem cell decides what it becomes. This question sits at the core of modern biology, but it can be difficult to explain clearly. Stem cell fate depends on signals, pathways, and small decisions that happen over time inside each cell.

SciStories partnered with the lab to improve how they present this biology online. The goal was simple: make the science more engaging while improving communication for a wider audience.

One challenge comes from the topic itself. You can’t easily explain stem cell differentiation with a single image. The process is dynamic, layered, and abstract. Many lab websites rely on dense text, which makes the biology harder to follow.

The team chose a different approach.

They used comics to improve communication. Instead of presenting the science as static information, they turned it into a visual story. Each cell moves through a series of decisions, which shapes its final state.

This approach makes stem cell biology easier to follow. Readers can track how a cell changes over time without needing to understand every molecular detail at once. The structure also reinforces a key idea: stem cell fate is not fixed. Each decision influences what happens next.

The team built these comics into the website itself. The design keeps the layout clean and easy to navigate, which supports better communication. Visitors can quickly understand the lab’s focus, explore their research, and learn about their work in biology.

The project works because it balances clarity and depth. The comics make the science approachable, while the site still supports more detailed research content.

Overall, this project shows how better communication can improve how people understand stem cell biology. It also highlights how visual storytelling can make complex biology more engaging without oversimplifying the science.