First developed as an accessible abridgement of the successful Handbook of Stem Cells, Essentials of Stem Cell Biology serves the needs of the evolving population of scientists, researchers, practitioners and students that are embracing the latest advances in stem cells. Representing the combined effort of seven editors and more than 200 scholars and scientists whose pioneering work has defined our understanding of stem cells, this book combines the prerequisites for a general understanding of adult and embryonic stem cells with a presentation by the world's experts of the latest research information about specific organ systems. From basic biology/mechanisms, early development, ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm, methods to application of stem cells to specific human diseases, regulation and ethics, and patient perspectives, no topic in the field of stem cells is left uncovered.

FOREWORD Why Stem Cell Research?A New Path ?{ Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Embryonic Stem Cells Versus Adult Stem Cells'Stemness': Definitions, Criteria and Standards PART ONEINTRODUCTION TO STEM CELLS 1. Present Perspective and Future Challenges 2. Embryonic Stem Cells in Perspective 3. The Development of Epithelial Stem Cell Concepts 4. The Advent of Direct Reprogramming 5. Clinical Translation of Stem CellsPART TWOBASIC BIOLOGY/MECHANISMS6. Molecular Basis of Pluripotency 7. Stem Cell Niches8. Mechanisms of Stem Cell Self-Renewal 9. Cell Cycle Regulators in Stem Cells 10. Epigenetic Mechanisms of Cellular Memory11. Cell Fusion and the Differentiated State12. How Cells Change Their PhenotypePART THREETISSUE AND ORGAN DEVELOPMENT13. Differentiation in Early Development 14. Primordial Germ Cells in Mouse and Human 15. Stem Cells in Extraembryonic Lineages 16. Amniotic Fluid Derived Pluripotent Cells 17. Cord Blood Stem Cells18. Neurogenesis in the Vertebrate Embryo 19. The Nervous System20. Neuronal Progenitors in the Adult Brain 21. Sensory Epithelium of the Eye and Ear 22. Epithelial Skin Stem Cells 23. The Ontogeny of the Hematopoietic System 24. Hematopoietic Stem Cells 25. Red Blood Cells 26. Cell Differentiation in the Skeleton 27. Vascular Progenitor Cells 28. Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells 29. Mesenchymal Stem Cells 30. Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells 31. Stem Cells and the Regenerating Heart 32. Potential of ES Cell Differentiation Culture for Vascular Biology 33. Cell Lineages and Stem Cells in the Kidney 34. Adult Liver Stem Cells 35. Pancreatic Stem Cells 36. Stem Cells in the Gastrointestinal Tract 37. Stem Cells in the Lung PART FOURMETHODS38. Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells 39. Characteristics and Characterization of Pluripotent Stem Cells 40. Isolation and Maintenance of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells 41. Isolation, Characterization, and Maintenance of Primate ES Cells 42. Approaches for Derivation and Maintenance of Human ES cells: Detailed Procedures and Alternatives43. Derivation and Differentiation of Human EG Cells 44. Growth Factors & the Serum-Free Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells 45. Feeder-Free Culture46. Genetic Manipulation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells 47. Homologous Recombination in Human Embryonic Stem Cells 48. Surface Antigen Markers 49. Lineage Marking 50. Genomic Reprogramming 51. Isolation and Characterization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells 52. Microarray Analysis of Stem Cells and Differentiation 53. Zebrafish and Stem Cell Research PART FIVEAPPLICATIONS54. Cancer Stem Cells55. Neural Stem Cells: Therapeutic Applications in Neurodegenerative Diseases56. Spinal Cord Injury 57. Use of Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Heart Disease 58. Insulin-Producing Cells Derived from Stem Cells: A Potential Treatment for Diabetes59. Burns and Skin Ulcers 978-0-12-370465-860. Stem Cells and Heart Disease 61. Stem Cells for the Treatment of Muscular Dystropy 62. Skin Regeneration 63. Orthopaedic Applications of Stem Cells 64. Embryonic Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering 65. Adult Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering 66. Stem Cell Gene Therapy PART SIXREGULATION AND ETHICS67. Ethical Considerations 68. Religious Considerations 69. Regulatory Considerations 70. It¡¿s Not About Curiosity, It¡¿s About Cures Epilogue: Concluding Statement