​This book reviews the latest biotechnological advances with pluripotent stem cells, exploring their application in tissue engineering and medicinal chemistry. Chapters from expert contributors cover topics such as the production of transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), expansion, controlled differentiation and programming of pluripotent stem cells, and their genetic instability. Particular attention is given to the application of the pluripotent stem cells for vascularision of engineered tissue and for drug screening. This book will appeal to researchers working in regenerative medicine and drug discovery, and to bioengineers and professionals interested in stem cell research.

To achieve cardiac regeneration using pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, researchers must understand iPS cell generation methods, cardiomyocyte differentiation protocols, cardiomyocyte characterization methods, and tissue engineering. This book presents the current status and future possibilities in cardiac regeneration using iPS cells. Written by top researchers who present new data in these fields, this book reviews cardiac cell therapy for ischemic heart disease and explores in vitro generation of efficacious platelets from iPS cells. It also discusses modeling arrhythmogenic heart disease with patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells.

Probably, the gain in organ complexity and cell function has led to a decrease in healing capacities in the adult mammalian heart. In an effort to generate new venues for the generation of functional cardiac cells, in the present work we have explored the possibility to manipulate cell fate and plasticity making use of different technologies. First, and taking advantage of somatic cell reprogramming we have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (ucMSCs), an amenable source of stem cells in the clinical setting. In a very simple manner we have converted ucMSCs into iPSCs with either four transcription factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC) or two transcription factors (OCT4 and SOX2). Second, by a cell conversion approach, we have been able to produce cells expressing cardiac-related markers at the protein level from human post-natal dermal fibroblasts. Our protocol induces cell de-differentiation by the overexpression of OCT4 and SOX2 pluripotent-related transcription factors first, and the specific meso-cardiac transcriptional factor GATA4 afterwards. Finally, in order to define new conditions for the generation of cardiac-like cells from either pluripotent stem cells or somatic cells, we have developed a reporter cell line for the cardiac gene alpha Myosin Heavy Chain (MYH6) by means of TALEN and CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing technologies. In this manner we have been able to explore culture conditions promoting cardiac differentiation from human embryonic stem cells. The work presented here shows different approaches aiming to generate cardiac-like cells with an impact in Regenerative Medicine.

This Volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology offers a comprehensive and exciting, state-of-the-art work on the current options and potentials of cardiac regeneration and repair. Several techniques and approaches have been developed for heart failure repair: direct injection of cells, programming of scar tissue into functional myocardium, and tissue-engineered heart muscle support. The book introduces the rationale for these different approaches in cell-based heart regeneration and discusses the most important considerations for clinical translation. Expert authors discuss when, why, and how heart muscle can be salvaged. The book represents a valuable resource for stem cell researchers, cardiologists, bioengineers, and biomedical scientists studying cardiac function and regeneration.

Pluripotent stem cells have distinct characteristics: self-renewal and the potential to differentiate into various somatic cells. In recent years, substantial advances have been made from basic science to clinical applications. The vast amount knowledge available makes obtaining concise yet sufficient information difficult, hence the purpose of this book. In this book, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells are discussed. The book is divided into five sections: pluripotency, culture methods, toxicology, disease models, and regenerative medicine. The topics covered range from new concepts to current technologies. Readers are expected to gain useful information from expert contributors.