The content covered encompass not only the theoretic and methodological aspects for culturing human pluripotent stem cells, but also the establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation into specific cellular subtypes. This book has the most updated methods and technologies in an accessible and clear language, presenting protocols developed and optimized by researchers that use them every day. Stem cell research is a growing field that offers the potential to comprehend mechanisms of neural development and tissue regeneration and maintenance as well as the development-related human diseases and the establishment of novel therapies. Questions of basic biology can also be exploited by this cutting-edge approach.

The content covered encompass not only the theoretic and methodological aspects for culturing human pluripotent stem cells, but also the establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation into specific cellular subtypes. This book has the most updated methods and technologies in an accessible and clear language, presenting protocols developed and optimized by researchers that use them every day. Stem cell research is a growing field that offers the potential to comprehend mechanisms of neural development and tissue regeneration and maintenance as well as the development-related human diseases and the establishment of novel therapies. Questions of basic biology can also be exploited by this cutting-edge approach.

The book will discuss the molecular mechanisms of cancer diseases, stem cell proliferation and transformation into cancer cells beyond the physiological processes that occur in normal stem cell biology. Some of the key oncogenic events in cancer and their signaling pathways that regulate cell division cycle progression will be described considering prospects for using such knowledge in advanced cancer therapy. Each chapter shall provide an invaluable resource for information on the most current advances in the field, with discussion of controversial issues and areas of emerging importance

Stem cells are fascinating cell types. They can replicate themselves forever while retaining the potential to generate progeny with speci?c functions. Because of these special properties, stem cells have been subjects of intensive investigation, from understanding basic mechanisms underlying tissue generation, to modeling human diseases, to application for cell replacement therapy. Stem cells come in different forms. For example, mouse embryonic stem cells can general all cell types in a body, either in a dish or when put back into mouse embryos. On the other hand, neural stem cells in the adult brain generate neurons and glia cells that contribute to the brain's plasticity. Rapid progress has been made in the stem cell ?eld with discov- ies published in a record speed. A quick Pubmed search has returned 2789 hits for "embryonic stem cells" and 815 hits for "adult neural stem cells/neurogenesis" in the year 2008 alone. It remains a taunting task for all who are interested in stem cells to keep up with rapidly accumulating literatures. The "Perspectives of Stem Cells" by a truly international team of experts provides a timely and invaluable highlight of the stem cell ?eld gearing toward future therapeutic applications in the nervous system. Stem cells with neural potentials have attracted a lot of attention because of their promise for cell replacement therapy, ranging from degenerative neurological dis- ders to spinal cord injuries.

The book will discuss the molecular mechanisms of cancer diseases, stem cell proliferation and transformation into cancer cells beyond the physiological processes that occur in normal stem cell biology. Some of the key oncogenic events in cancer and their signaling pathways that regulate cell division cycle progression will be described considering prospects for using such knowledge in advanced cancer therapy. Each chapter shall provide an invaluable resource for information on the most current advances in the field, with discussion of controversial issues and areas of emerging importance

The field of stem cell biology is geared towards translation into clinical practice through in vitro tissue production and regeneration therapy. Since the discovery of adult neurogenesis, much attention has been put on the study of differentiation of stem cells into neural cell types and the development of model systems for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition to chapters on therapeutic applicability of embryonic, very small-embryonic like, mesenchymal stem and neural progenitor cells, this book covers signalling mechanisms guiding induction to differentiation and cell diversification. Furthermore, fundamental aspects of stem cell biology and neurogenesis, such as the importance of proliferation induction, programmed cell death and the function of glia in differentiation of stem cells and development of neuronal circuits, are also highlighted. In vitro cultures of embryonic, mesenchymal and neural stem cells as well as mobilization of endogenous stem and precursor cells for brain repair and replacement therapy in neurological disorders are important issues of this book.

Each chapter is written by researchers who are leaders in the field and provides an invaluable resource for information on the most current advances in the field and possible therapeutic applications, with discussions of controversial issues and areas of emerging importance. By providing an up-to-date and critical view of the state of Science, we hope that this book shall be a base for exciting scientific ideas regarding functions and therapeutic applications of stem cells in the adult brain. The book is directed to neuroscientists, physicians, students and all who are engaged and interested in the exciting and rapidly expanding field of modern neuroscience and stem cell biology.

This volume explores the quickly evolving field of Purinergic signaling, and examines how receptors for ATP and other nucleotides, and receptors for adenosine, act in neuronal transmission, control of synaptic activity, proliferation, differentiation and cell death regulation in the CNS. This book focuses on the participation of purinergic receptors and ectonucleotidases, degrading ATP into adenosine, in embryonic and adult neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo as well as in synaptic transmission and pathophysiology. Further, the chapters discuss varying brain diseases, including Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease, autism, mood disorders and epilepsy, as well as brain tumors, in the context of purinergic signaling and its clinical aspects. The development of purinergic receptor agonists is also an important issue of this book. This book provides a critical review of the current state of science and will be useful for both scientists and students who are or would like to get involved in this area. Furthermore, this book addresses neuroscientists, physician and professionals from the industry, who would like to update themselves in this exciting and rapidly growing field of neuroscience.