Stem Cells: Biology and Application Clarke, Mary & Frampton, Jonathan

Preface
Acknowledgements

PART I. AN INTRODUCTION TO STEM CELLS

1. The essential principles of stem cell science

2. Stem cell identification, isolation, and characterization

PART II. STEM CELL POTENCY AND CONTROL

3. Embryonic stem cells, cloning, and pluripotency

4. Controlling stem cells: Receipt and interpretation of external cues

5. Cell plasticity, reprogramming, and induced pluripotent stem cells

6. The stem cell niche

PART III. STEM CELLS ACROSS THE ANIMAL AND PLANT KINGDOMS

7. Regeneration in animals: The evolution of stem cells

8. Plant stem cells

PART IV. STEM CELLS IN SPECIALIZED ADULT ANIMAL TISSUES

9. Hematopoietic stem cells

10. Musculo-skeletal and dental stem cells in mammals

11. Stem cells in endoderm-derived organs

12. Stem cells underpinning the generation of germ cells

13. Stem cells in the cardiovascular system

14. Stem cells in the nervous and sensory systems

15. Stem cells in the skin, its appendages, and other epithelial tissues

16. Atypical stem cells that enable and modulate immune system function

PART V. BIOMEDICAL AND ECONOMIC APPLICATIONS OF STEM CELLS

17. Stem cells in biomedicine: Disease modeling and tissue repair

18. Stem cells in biomedicine: Stem cells in aging and cancer

19. Stem cell applications in domesticated and wild animals and in horticulture

20. Stem cells and society: A philosophical, ethical, and economical view

Glossary

Index

Stem cell science, encompassing basic biology to practical application, is both vast and diverse. A full appreciation of it requires an understanding of cell and molecular biology, tissue structure and physiology, the practicalities of tissue engineering and bioprocessing, and the pathways to clinical implementation—including the ethical and regulatory imperatives that our society requires us to address. Expectation and debate have been driven by the allure of regenerative medicine using stem cells as a source of replacements for damaged or aged tissues. The potential of stem cell application goes far beyond this. Highly innovative uses of stem cells are emerging as possible therapies for cancers, treating acute damage in conditions such as stroke and myocardial infarction, and resolving a whole range of diseases.

Stem Cells: Biology and Application presents the basic concepts underlying the fast-moving science of stem cell biology. This textbook is written for an advanced stem cell biology course. The target audience includes senior undergraduates, first year graduate students, and practitioners in molecular biology, biology, and biomedical engineering. Stem Cells provides a comprehensive understanding of these unique cells, highlighting key areas of research, associated controversies, case studies, technologies, and pioneers in the field.