Regenerative Medicine : Stem Cells and Their Applications
Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction to regenerative medicine. 2. Embryonic stem cells. 3. Adult stem cells. 4. Stem cell transplant: role of cord blood. 5. Ethical concerns, challenges, recommendations and current regulation of human stem cell research. 6. Cell cycle regulation. 7. Stem cell therapy. 8. Gene therapy and tissue engineering. 9. Techniques in regenerative medicine. Appendices: 1. Stem cell research timeline. 2. Embryonic stem cell markers. 3. Human adult stem cell markers. 4. Commonly used stem cell markers. 5. Isolation and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. 6. Isolation and differentiation of human adult stem cells. 7. Guidelines for stem cell research and therapy. 8. Safeguards for use of human embryonic stem cells. 9. Cell cycle. 10. Cell cycle checkpoints. Glossary. Index.
"Stem cells (unspecialized cells) have the ability to self-replicate and transform into an array of specialized cells. These cells have two unique properties: self-renewal capacity and the ability to undergo differentiation pathways or enter terminal divisions to yield an organized tissue or functional blood cells. Both embryonic and adult stem cells, therefore, can be used to generate healthy tissues and replace the damaged ones. For instance, they can be used to produce insulin-secreting cells for the treatment of type I diabetes; to generate liver cells for patients with liver failure; to treat neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer\'s and Parkinson\'s disease; to cure myocardial infarction etc. Thus, we envisage a possibility to restore normal functions with the application of stem cells. Stem cell research focuses on the potential application of stem cells. This advancing field of science is making the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat myriad diseases. In the present book, we focus on stem cells and their applications. This book will be useful for students who are interested in the area of regenerative medicine, health sciences and biotechnology." (jacket)
