Human Embryonic Stem Cells
http://www.100md.com
《新英格兰医药杂志》
The scientific and public interest in stem-cell research has increased dramatically since human embryonic stem cells were first isolated in 1998. An increasing number of scientists and clinicians are joining stem-cell researchers to find ways of using knowledge of embryonic stem cells to understand the development of diseases and even to cure them. This book will be of tremendous help to those who have already started, or soon will start, a journey into the murky waters of stem-cell research.
(Figure)
Color-Enhanced Scanning Electron Micrograph of a Human Embryo at the Blastocyst Stage, Opened to Reveal the Inner Cell Mass.
Yorgos Nikas/Wellcome Photo Library.
The role of embryonic stem cells during development, the differentiation of these cells into derivatives of the three germ layers, the potential clinical and therapeutic uses of these cells, and the ethical and legal problems associated with their production and use are some of the topics that are summarized and discussed in an understandable and fluent way in this book. The editors have even included two solid and successful contributions about adult stem cells, a topic one would not immediately expect in a book titled Human Embryonic Stem Cells. These chapters will help readers to understand the potential and power of adult stem cells, as well as those of embryonic stem cells, and the ethical and legal issues associated with the production and use of both cell types.
Other authors focus on the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic, endothelial, and neural cells, as well as trophoblast, islet, and cardiomyocyte differentiation. Each of the chapters dealing with the various facets of embryonic stem-cell biology successfully reviews the basic aspects of the development of the organ system under discussion and introduces the role and importance of embryonic stem cells for these systems.
The chapters dealing with current and potential clinical and therapeutic applications of human embryonic stem cells will be of special interest to clinicians. The authors discuss recent progress and the promising results of therapeutic approaches employing these cells, including tissue engineering and somatic-cell nuclear transfer. Also reviewed are the requirements of and difficulties involved in therapy with embryonic stem cells.
A real strength of this book is that ethical, political, and legal aspects are discussed in detail, and the guidelines, regulations, and restrictions concerning embryonic stem-cell research are laid out systematically. This well-organized book is also an overview of the latest genomic and proteomic approaches and technological advances that can be used in stem-cell research, making it a useful compendium for basic scientists and clinicians working in the field.
Takayuki Asahara, M.D., Ph.D.
Cantas Alev, M.D.
Center for Developmental Biology at Riken Kobe Institute
650-0047 Kobe, Japan
asa777@aol.com(Edited by J. Odorico, S. )
(Figure)
Color-Enhanced Scanning Electron Micrograph of a Human Embryo at the Blastocyst Stage, Opened to Reveal the Inner Cell Mass.
Yorgos Nikas/Wellcome Photo Library.
The role of embryonic stem cells during development, the differentiation of these cells into derivatives of the three germ layers, the potential clinical and therapeutic uses of these cells, and the ethical and legal problems associated with their production and use are some of the topics that are summarized and discussed in an understandable and fluent way in this book. The editors have even included two solid and successful contributions about adult stem cells, a topic one would not immediately expect in a book titled Human Embryonic Stem Cells. These chapters will help readers to understand the potential and power of adult stem cells, as well as those of embryonic stem cells, and the ethical and legal issues associated with the production and use of both cell types.
Other authors focus on the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic, endothelial, and neural cells, as well as trophoblast, islet, and cardiomyocyte differentiation. Each of the chapters dealing with the various facets of embryonic stem-cell biology successfully reviews the basic aspects of the development of the organ system under discussion and introduces the role and importance of embryonic stem cells for these systems.
The chapters dealing with current and potential clinical and therapeutic applications of human embryonic stem cells will be of special interest to clinicians. The authors discuss recent progress and the promising results of therapeutic approaches employing these cells, including tissue engineering and somatic-cell nuclear transfer. Also reviewed are the requirements of and difficulties involved in therapy with embryonic stem cells.
A real strength of this book is that ethical, political, and legal aspects are discussed in detail, and the guidelines, regulations, and restrictions concerning embryonic stem-cell research are laid out systematically. This well-organized book is also an overview of the latest genomic and proteomic approaches and technological advances that can be used in stem-cell research, making it a useful compendium for basic scientists and clinicians working in the field.
Takayuki Asahara, M.D., Ph.D.
Cantas Alev, M.D.
Center for Developmental Biology at Riken Kobe Institute
650-0047 Kobe, Japan
asa777@aol.com(Edited by J. Odorico, S. )