Stem Cell Science

The subject of stem cells has a high priority in the media. Although we have made significant progress in our scientific understanding the clinical application of stem cells is still in its infancy and the actual stem cell therapy practiced today is a form of bone marrow transplantation. A brief introduction to stem cells is provided explaining what stem cells are and what scientists do with them. Over the past few decades our understanding of stem cell biology has improved dramatically. Many types of stem cells have been found in tissues commonly thought to be incapable of regeneration in adults particularly the heart and brain. There is vast interest in stem cells from biologists and clinicians who see the potential for regenerative medicine and future treatments for chronic diseases like Parkinson’s diabetes and spinal cord lesions based on the use of stem cells; and from entrepreneurs in biotechnology who expect new commercial applications ranging from drug discovery to transplantation therapies. Stem cell biology has huge potential for advancing therapies for many distressing and recalcitrant diseases and its potential will be realized most quickly when as many people as possible have a good grounding in the science of stem cells. Content focused on the basic science underpinning stem cell biology Covers techniques of studying cell properties and cell lineage in vivo and in vitro Explains the basics of embryonic development and cell differentiation as well as the essential cell biology processes of signaling gene expression and cell division.