Biology and Engineering of Stem Cell Niches covers a wide spectrum of research and current knowledge on embryonic and adult stem cell niches, focusing on the understanding of stem cell niche molecules and signaling mechanisms, including cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions. The book comprehensively reviews factors regulating stem cell behavior and the corresponding approaches for understanding the subsequent effect of providing the proper matrix molecules, mechanical cues, and/or chemical cues. It encompasses a variety of tools and techniques for developing biomaterials-based methods to model synthetic stem cell niches in vivo, or to enhance and direct stem cell fate in vitro. A final section of the book discusses stem cell niche bioengineering strategies and current advances in each tissue type. - Includes the importance of Cell-Cell and Cell Matrix Interactions in each specific tissue and system - Authored and edited by authorities in this emerging and multidisciplinary field - Includes valuable links to 5-10 minute YouTube© author videos that describe main points

The potential of stem cells for healing and disease prevention in all fields of medicine is tremendous and has revolutionized the high-tech biomedical research. In this book, many of the most prominent researchers discuss the challenging topics of stem cell engineering, for example: Ethical issues of stem cell research; technological challenges, stem cell growth and differentiation, therapeutic applications, bioreactors and bioprocesses, high throughput and microfluidic screening platforms, stem cell identification and sorting, intercellular signaling and engineered niches, novel approaches for embryonic and adult stem cell growth and differentiation, stem cells and drug discovery, screening platforms. Stem Cell Engineering offers valuable background and reference for both the public and professionals including industrial staffers, faculty, researchers, engineers, students and scientific journalists.

Tissue engineering integrates knowledge and tools from biological sciences and engineering for tissue regeneration. A challenge for tissue engineering is to identify appropriate cell sources. The recent advancement of stem cell biology provides enormous opportunities to engineer stem cells for tissue engineering. The impact of stem cell technology on tissue engineering will be revolutionary. This book covers state-of-the-art knowledge on the potential of stem cells for the regeneration of a wide range of tissues and organs and the technologies for studying and engineering stem cells. It serves as a valuable reference book for researchers and students.

While the potential of stem cells is recognized, their proliferation and differentiation must be more precisely controlled to maximize the production of therapeutically relevant cells and for cell replacement therapies to minimize contamination with residual cells that can give rise to side effects. How can engineers make contributions to address these challenges? With contributions from pioneers and experts, Stem Cell Engineering: Principles and Practices highlights recent advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular composition of the stem cell niche, as well as approaches to build upon this basic information to direct stem cell differentiation into therapeutically valuable lineages. The growing recognition of stem cells as an important and exciting field will continue to draw investigators with diverse backgrounds—from biology, engineering, and the physical sciences—and thereby enable further progress in these and other new directions. This book discusses advances made during the last decade that have led to increasingly defined culture systems for growing stem cells, starting from co-culture with feeder cells in the presence of serum to growth on synthetic substrates in defined medium. In addition to highlighting many recent advances, it underscores the need for future work.

Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering in Dental Sciences bridges the gap left by many tissue engineering and stem cell biology titles to highlight the significance of translational research in this field in the medical sciences. It compiles basic developmental biology with keen focus on cell and matrix biology, stem cells with relevance to tissue engineering biomaterials including nanotechnology and current applications in various disciplines of dental sciences; viz., periodontology, endodontics, oral & craniofacial surgery, dental implantology, orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics, organ engineering and transplant medicine. In addition, it covers research ethics, laws and industrial pitfalls that are of particular importance for the future production of tissue constructs. Tissue Engineering is an interdisciplinary field of biomedical research, which combines life, engineering and materials sciences, to progress the maintenance, repair and replacement of diseased and damaged tissues. This ever-emerging area of research applies an understanding of normal tissue physiology to develop novel biomaterial, acellular and cell-based technologies for clinical and non-clinical applications. As evident in numerous medical disciplines, tissue engineering strategies are now being increasingly developed and evaluated as potential routine therapies for oral and craniofacial tissue repair and regeneration. - Diligently covers all the aspects related to stem cell biology and tissue engineering in dental sciences: basic science, research, clinical application and commercialization - Provides detailed descriptions of new, modern technologies, fabrication techniques employed in the fields of stem cells, biomaterials and tissue engineering research including details of latest advances in nanotechnology - Includes a description of stem cell biology with details focused on oral and craniofacial stem cells and their potential research application throughout medicine - Print book is available and black and white, and the ebook is in full color

The opportunity that tissue engineering provides for medicine is extraordinary. In the United States alone, over half-a-trillion dollars are spent each year to care for patients who suffer from tissue loss or dysfunction. Although numerous books and reviews have been written on tissue engineering, none has been as comprehensive in its defining of the field. Principles of Tissue Engineering combines in one volume the prerequisites for a general understanding of tissue growth and development, the tools and theoretical information needed to design tissues and organs, as well as a presentation of applications of tissue engineering to diseases affecting specific organ systems. The first edition of the book, published in 1997, is the definite reference in the field. Since that time, however, the discipline has grown tremendously, and few experts would have been able to predict the explosion in our knowledge of gene expression, cell growth and differentiation, the variety of stem cells, new polymers and materials that are now available, or even the successful introduction of the first tissue-engineered products into the marketplace. There was a need for a new edition, and this need has been met with a product that defines and captures the sense of excitement, understanding and anticipation that has followed from the evolution of this fascinating and important field.Key Features* Provides vast, detailed analysis of research on all of the major systems of the human body, e.g., skin, muscle, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nerves* Essential to anyone working in the field* Educates and directs both the novice and advanced researcher* Provides vast, detailed analysis of research with all of the major systems of the human body, e.g. skin, muscle, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nerves* Has new chapters written by leaders in the latest areas of research, such as fetal tissue engineering and the universal cell* Considered the definitive reference in the field* List of contributors reads like a "who's who" of tissue engineering, and includes Robert Langer, Joseph Vacanti, Charles Vacanti, Robert Nerem, A. Hari Reddi, Gail Naughton, George Whitesides, Doug Lauffenburger, and Eugene Bell, among others

Engineering Neural Tissue from Stem Cells covers the basic knowledge needed to understand the nervous system and how existing cells can be used to create neural tissue. This book presents a broad range of topics related to the design requirements for engineering neural tissue from stem cells. It begins with the anatomy and function of the central and peripheral nervous system, also covering stem cells, their relation to the nervous system and their function in recovery after injury or disease. In addition, the book explores the role of the extracellular matrix and vasculature/immune system and biomaterials, including their suitability for neural tissue engineering applications. - Provides readers entering the field with a strong basis of neural tissue engineering processes and real-world applications - Discusses the most current clinical trials and their importance of treating nervous system disorders - Reviews the structure and immune response of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and their present cells - Offers a necessary overview of the natural and synthetic biomaterials used to engineer neural tissue