Treatment of non-healing wounds has remained difficult, in spite of better understanding of pathophysiologic principles. Gene therapy, initially developed for treatment of congenital defects, represents a novel option for enhancing wound repair. In order to accelerate wound closure, genes encoding for growth factors or cytokines have showed most potential. The majority of gene delivery systems are based on viral transfection, naked DNA application, high pressure injection, and liposomal vectors. Besides advances stemming from breakthroughs in recombinant growth factors and bioengineered skin, early data suggest the use of multipotent stem cells in order to accelerate wound healing. Cutaneous wound healing requires a well-orchestrated integration of the complex biological and molecular events of cell migration and proliferation, as well as extracellular matrix deposition, angiogenesis, and remodeling. Stem cells, due to their ability to differentiate into various tissue types by asymmetric replication thus represent a promising tissue repair strategy. A variety of sources, such as bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, adipose tissue and skin/hair follicles, have been utilized to isolate stem cells to modulate the healing response of acute and chronic wounds. Recent data have demonstrated the feasibility of autologous ASC therapy in cutaneous repair and regeneration. Very recently, the combination of gene and stem cell therapy has emerged and could provide a promising approach for future treatment of chronic and acute wounds. The aim of this review is to discuss the use and the potential of these novel technologies in order to improve wound healing capacities. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.