E-Book Overview
The study of stem cell research has recently gained the attention from a growing, multidisciplinary community of scientist; this exponential growth of interest is driven by the hope of discovering cures for several diseases through transplantation medicine. Trends in Stem Cells Biology and Technology aptly serves this developing community as it reveals new aspects of stem cell research by specifically covering studies focused on spermatogonial stem cells, uniparental embryonic stem cell lines, the generation of gametes from stem cells, reprogramming germ cells to stem cells, nuclear and somatic cell genetic reprogramming, tissue engineering and mechanotransduction of stem cells and finally the development of stem cell technologies for the treatment of deafness, heart disease, corneal injury and diabetes. With contributions by leading scientists and renowned scholars, Trends in Stem Cells Biology and Technology offers a wide audience cutting edge information at a crucial time in this ever expanding field.
E-Book Content
Trends in Stem Cell Biology and Technology
Hossein Baharvand Editor
Trends in Stem Cell Biology and Technology
Editor Hossein Baharvand, Ph.D. Department of Stem Cells Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute ACECR, Tehran, Iran and Department of Developmental Biology University of Science and Culture, ACECR Tehran, Iran
ISBN 978-1-60327-904-8 e-ISBN 978-1-60327-905-5 DOI 10.1007/978-1-60327-905-5 Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2008944052 © Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Humana Press, c/o Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science + Business Media (www.springer.com)
To the memory of Dr. Saeid Kazemi Ashtiani, a wonderful colleague, a great stem cell biologist, and an inspirational advocate of stem cell research in Iran. And To my family: My wife (Parvaneh), daughter (Fatemeh), father (Ali), mother (Fatemeh), brothers (Hassan, Abbas, Mohammad, Amir), and sister (Afsaneh)
Preface
Stem cells, characterized by the ability to both self-renew and to generate differentiated functional cell types, have been derived from the embryo and from various sources of the postnatal animals and human. The recent advances in stem cell research have led to a better understanding of self-renewal, maintenance, and differentiation of both embryonic and somatic stem cells. This has significantly increased our knowledge of cellular and developmental biology in general and will certainly continue to do so for a long time to come. Moreover, given their role in maintaining and replenishing tissues, stem cells represent a potential means of restoring tissue function and thereby treating the root cause of degenerative disease. Therefore, in parallel, we need to improve our cognizance of the challenges involved in applying stem cells in clinical settings. The current chapters highlight both of these aspects: that of understanding the “actual” and that of developing the “possible.” In recognition of the growing excitement and potential of stem cells