edited by Ariff Bongso (National University of Singapore, Singapore) & Eng Hin Lee (National University of Singapore, Singapore)

Chapter 2: Molecular Principles UnderlyingP luripotency and Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells (2,258k)

Stem cell biology has drawn tremendous interest in recent years as it promises cures for a variety of incurable diseases. This book deals with the basic and clinical aspects of stem cell research and involves work on the full spectrum of stem cells isolated today. It also covers the conversion of stem cell types into a variety of useful tissues which may be used in the future for transplantation therapy. It is thus aimed at undergraduates, postgraduates, scientists, embryologists, doctors, tissue engineers and anyone who wishes to gain some insight into stem cell biology.

This book is important as it is comprehensive and covers all aspects of stem cell biology, from basic research to clinical applications. It will have 33 chapters written by renowned stem cell scientists worldwide. It will be up-to-date and all the chapters include self-explanatory figures, color photographs, graphics and tables. It will be easy to read and give the reader a complete understanding and state of the art of the exciting science and its applications.

• Human Embryonic Stem Cell Characterization: Similarities and Differences between Cell Lines and Sources (N J Harrison et al.)
• Molecular Principles Underlying Pluripotency and Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells (K M Loh et al.)
• Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Cardiomyocytes (C Denning et al.)
• Suspension and Simulated Microgravity Cultures of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (S K W Oh)
• Large Scale Culture of Pluripotent Stem Cells for Therapy (M Rao & M C Vemuri)
• Human Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Tissue Transplantation Therapy: Clinical Hurdles (K Gauthaman et al.)
• Challenges of Taking Embryonic Stem Cells from Bench to Clinic (P Tekamp-Olson et al.)
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (O Dreesen & A Colman)
• Control of the Human Pluripotent Cell Cycle (G S Stein et al.)
• Uses of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells (M Chowdhury et al.)
• Human Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells: Their Nature, Properties and Benefits (C-Y Fong et al.)
• Derivation of Heptocytes from Human Umbilical Cord Lining Epithelial Stem Cells (D V Do et al.)
• Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cells (J K Y Chan & M Choolani)
• From Stem Cells to Neurons: Translating Basic Science into Preclinical Animal Validation (P Rizk & G Udolph)
• Stem Cells of the Liver: Basic Science and Clinical Applications (S M L Lim et al.)
• Stem Cells of the Eye (L P K Ang et al.)
• Human (Skeletal) Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Basic Biology and Clinical Applications for Bone Tissue Regeneration (M Kassem et al.)
• Cartilage Repair with Stem Cells (Z Yang et al.)
• Ligament and Tendon Repair with Adult Stem Cells (S Sahoo et al.)
• Stem Cells in Human Skin: Basic Science and Applications (K K B Tan & E B Lane)
• Germline Differentiation from Stem Cells (J V Medrano et al.)
• Stem Cells of the Human Uterus: Derivation, Characterization and Uses of Endometrial Stem Cells (C E Gargett)
• Stem Cells in Cardiac Tissue Engineering (N Christoforu et al.)
• Stem Cell Science and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Fine-Tuning the Ethical Issues (B Capps & A Campbell)
• Stem Cells: New Scientific Developments, Familiar Ethics (J Burley)