Research into stem cells started in the 1960s with experiments on spleen cultures. Evans and Kaufman made a breakthrough in mouse embryo culturing and embryonic stem cell extraction in 1981, followed by the work of Thomson in 1998 on the technique for extracting human embryonic stem cells. Since then, stem cell research has rapidly expanded as a therapeutic avenue for different diseases in humans. This book explains the basic developmental biology of stem cells including the development of stem cells during the implantation stage in utero to the regulation of stem cell division. Medical applications of stem cells in the therapy of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and bone diseases are also explained in subsequent chapters. The book also explains the effect of parasitic cells on stem cell growth. Concepts in the book are explained in a simple clear manner, making this book an informative reference for non-experts, students and professionals in the field of biology and medicine.

Pluripotent stem cells have garnered tremendous interest in recent years, which is primarily driven by the hope of finding a cure for several debilitating human diseases. Cell transplantation (regeneratve medicine) offers considerable therapeutic potential. The procedure employs pluripotent stem cells as these have the inherent ability to reproduce indefinitely and have the ability to produce over 200 different types of cells constituting the human body. The isolation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from embryos and their successful culture in a petri dish in 1998 has been considered as a major breakthrough that is set to shape stem cell research in the 21st century. This has been followed by another remarkable breakthrough in 2006 when scientists demonstrated for the first time that such pluripotent stem cells could be produced from adult somatic tissues without having to use human embryos. These pluripotent stem cells are called the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Both hESCs and iPS cells - highly versatile cells – could pave the way for alleviating patients suffering from diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more. This eBook brings together the information from the last decade on stem cells, compiled by reputed research experts. Readers will learn all aspects of pluripotent stem cells from basic biology to their use in understanding disease process, toxicology, drug discovery and in developing therapeutic strategies. Research on these cells, including transitional and translational aspects, is explained with the aid of extensive figures, colour photographs, and tables. This eBook is a valuable resource for undergraduates, postgraduates, scientists, embryologists, tissue engineers, doctors and biomedical scientists interested in stem cell research and medicine.

This monograph provides a current and in-depth review of scholarly information about mesenchymal stem cells and their application in the craniofacial region of the human body. Chapters in this volume cover biological and conceptual information about mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, craniofacial regeneration, new methods of scaffold fabrication, tooth regeneration and three-dimensional printing in dentistry. The book is suitable for clinicians and cell biologists aiming to gain a better understanding of the promising field of craniofacial regenerative medicine.

The potential use of stem cells in transplantation for the purpose of tissue regeneration is an exciting area of research currently undergoing rapid development. Implantation of human embryonic or autologous, ex vivo-expanded adult stem cells, particularly in older individuals, could circumvent the limited availability of organs/tissues as well as prevent complications related to immune rejection and disease transmission. Musculoskeletal tissue degeneration is closely associated with aging. Strategies employing autologous adult MSCs from older individuals for transplantation in order to regenerate their own ailing organ or tissues require that we vigorously define MSCs capacity to maintain growth potential and differentiation potential into the desirable cell lineages. We are currently restricted by the limited knowledge about physical parameters, such as biomechanical forces, that influence MSC growth and differentiation capacities. This is particularly important for MSCs isolated from older individuals, for whom little information is available. This special volume aims to serve as an impetus in generating more interest among stem cell researchers and biotechnologists to improve and develop the cell-based therapies of damaged tissue using stem cells.

Experts in the field of cellular biology have shown that the reactivation of pluripotency inherent in all cells can allow us to reprogram cells into a specific cell line. This reprogramming paradigm is steadily enhancing our understanding of cell differentiation processes and cellular identity. Consequently, new prospects for cellular therapies of diseases and in vivo regeneration have risen. Stem Cells Between Regeneration and Tumorigenesis focuses on organ specific molecular pathways that trigger two opposite ways that a stem cell can grow (regeneration and neoplasia). Chapters provide a balanced set of information about tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis in several tissues and biological systems (the nervous, circulatory, oral, skin, digestive and endocrine systems). Additional reviews of the immunological role in regulating the two stem cell growth processes and the role of genomics and proteomics in understanding these processes round up the contents of this monograph. Readers of this book will gain the following key benefits: -an insight into the complexity and controversy surrounding the established dual stem cell behavior paradigm (regeneration versus tumorigenesis) -an understanding of the intricate cellular processes such as stem cells maintenance -background knowledge of optimizing tailored therapy in personalized and regenerative medicine Stem Cells Between Regeneration and Tumorigenesis is a useful resource for advanced graduates and researchers undertaking courses in molecular biology and personalized medicine, as well as interns involved in stem cell research programs.

Stem Cell Delivery Routes: From Preclinical Models to Clinical Applications covers current knowledge about stem cell delivery for cell-based therapeutics. Starting with an introduction to stem cell technology, the book provides information about the main mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) delivery routes and the cell carrier materials used for delivering the cells. The main delivery routes include the liver, the kidney and the ocular surface. This introductory information is followed up with general information about stem cell based therapeutics, covering relevant topics such as the secretome and optimal delivery strategies in cell-based therapeutics. The book then progresses into the topic of in vivo cell tracking methods in preclinical and clinical studies with specific emphasis on the liver, ocular surface and kidney while also covering factors that affect the residence time, viability, and homing of MSCs with respect to the targeted location. The discussions in these chapters are accompanied by key descriptions of MSC-based therapeutic applications in rodent models and human clinical studies. The advantages and bottlenecks in clinical MSC application, and ways to improve the therapeutic efficacy of transplanted cells are also presented, rounding up the contents of the book. Key Features: - A comprehensive summary of stem cell delivery for cell-based therapeutics, suitable for a broad range of readers - 10 sequential chapters that enhance the reader’s understanding on the subject - An Introduction to stem cell technology - Coverage of 3 key stem cell transplantation routes (liver, kidney and eye) - Coverage of in vivo stem cell tracking - Inclusion of basic information about MSC delivery and methods of clinical applications - Discussions about preclinical mouse models - A perspective on stem cell bottlenecks and recent advances in biomedical engineering that enhance the clinical application of MSCs The contents are adapted to suit readers learning about advanced stem cells therapies at all academic levels, including undergraduates, lecturers, as well as those who are curious to understand more about the importance of stem cells, and their application in cell-based therapeutics. Professionals involved in allied fields in clinical research, and biomedical engineering will also gain a substantial understanding about regenerative medicine and cell transplantation.

The Regeneration Promise is a reader-friendly guide to the world of regenerative medicine and stem cell technology. It covers the history of stem cell technology as a general introduction to the subject and then continues with a description of the many known types of stem cells and how these can potentially be used to treat disease. The author explains the pros and cons of using stem cell technology to treat patients in simple and factual terms throughout the book while clarifying many stem cell myths. There is valuable advice for people considering undergoing stem cell therapy and also for those who are considering stem cell storage such as umbilical cord blood storage at the birth of a baby. The book also covers information on current research in stem cell technology and how this may be useful in the clinic, as promising regenerative medicine treatments emerge in the near future. The simple use of language with a clear explanation of scientific terms, where applicable, makes this book an accessible source of information for anyone interested in enhancing their general knowledge about regenerative medicine when considering such treatment options and understanding the debate surrounding stem cell technology and its use in disease therapy.

Cells are the building blocks of life and some cells (stem cells) have the ability to produce other cells through the processes of cell division and cell differentiation. Stem cell research has now progressed dramatically and there are countless studies published every year in scientific journals. Stem cell technology is being used to create new cell lines with edited genes and to regenerate cell based tissues for biological and medical purposes. This ebook presents a brief snapshot of clinical research in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The concise reference is intended to be an introduction for biology students to current standards and new technologies in these fields.

<i>Vascularization in Tissue Engineering</i> presents a comprehensive picture of blood vessel development and the recent developments on the understanding of the role of angiogenesis in regenerating biological tissues. The first-half of this book, consists of three chapters, emphasizing the fundamental knowledge about cell pathways, growth factors, co-culture strategies, cell interactions, and vascularization in pathological scenarios. The second half takes this knowledge a step further and explains the vascular microenvironment, scaffolds, and related applications in regenerative medicines. This section also provides information about biomaterial scaffolds and stem cell cultures for wound-healing and tissue regeneration. Readers will learn about cutting edge technologies in this field. This volume is a handy reference for students and researchers seeking information about the angiogenic processes and applied biotechnology in tissue engineering.

Diagnosis and Treatment in Rheumatology is a clear and concise handbook of all rheumatic diseases. The book presents organized information about current diagnosis, treatment and statistics (where available) of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spndyloarthropathies, gout, systemic lupus erythromatosis, osteoarthritis, myositis and much more. This reader friendly format and up to date information is easily accessible for rheumatology residents and medical students, making the book an ideal reference for study and practice.