Emerging Research Organisms In Regenerative Biology

An ever-growing roster of model organisms is a hallmark of 21st century Developmental Biology. Emerging model organisms are well suited to asking some fascinating and important questions that cannot be addressed using established model systems. And new methods are increasingly facilitating the adoption of new research organisms in laboratories. This volume is written by some of the scientists who have played pivotal roles in developing new models or in significantly advancing tools in emerging systems. Presents some of the most interesting additions to the core set of model organisms Contains contributions from people who have developed new model systems or advanced tools Includes personal stories about how and why model systems were developed

Regenerative Medicine is a fastly emerging interdisciplinary field of research and clinical therapies on the repair, replacement or regeneration of cells, tissues or organs in congenital or acquired disease. This new field of research and clinical development focussing on stem cell science and regenerative biology is just starting to be the most fascinating and controversial medical development at the dawn of the 21st century. Viewing the great expectations to restructure and regenerate tissue, organs or organisms the current attempts of scientist and physicians are still in an early phase of development. This new textbook on “Regenerative Medicine – from protocol to patient” is aiming to explain the scientific knowledge and emerging technology as well as the clinical application in different organ systems and diseases. The international leading experts from four continents describe the latest scientific and clinical knowledge of the field of “Regenerative Medicine”. The process of translating science of laboratory protocols into therapies is explained in sections on basic science, clinical translation, regulatory, ethical and industrial issues. The textbook is aiming to give the student, the researcher, the health care professional, the physician, and the patient a complete survey on the current scientific basis, therapeutical protocols, clinical translation and practised therapies in Regenerative Medicine.

Do real stem cells and stem cell lineages exist in lower organisms? Can stem cells from one organism parasitize the soma and/or the germ line of conspecifics? Can differentiated cells in marine organisms be re-programmed to regenerate tissues, organs and appendages through novel de-differentiation, transdifferentiation, or re-differentiation processes, leading to virtually all three germ layers, including the germline? The positive answers to above questions open a new avenue in stem cell research: the biology of stem cells in marine organisms. It is therefore unfortunate that while the literature on stem cell from terrestrial organisms is rich and expanding at an exponential rate, investigations on marine organisms’ stem cells are very limited and scarce. By presenting theoretical chapters, overview essays and specific research results, this book summarises the knowledge and the hypotheses on stem cells in marine organisms through major phyla and specific model organisms. The study on stem cells from marine invertebrates may shed lights on mechanisms promoting immunity, developmental biology, regeneration and budding processes in marine invertebrates, body maintenance, aging and senescence. It aims in encouraging a larger scientific community to follow and study the novel phenomena of stem cells behaviours as depicted from the few currently studied marine invertebrates.

Recent scientific breakthroughs, celebrity patient advocates, and conflicting religious beliefs have come together to bring the state of stem cell researchâ€"specifically embryonic stem cell researchâ€"into the political crosshairs. President Bush's watershed policy statement allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research but only on a limited number of stem cell lines. Millions of Americans could be affected by the continuing political debate among policymakers and the public. Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine provides a deeper exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of undifferentiated human cells. In terms accessible to lay readers, the book summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells and discusses how to go about the transition from mouse studies to research that has therapeutic implications for people. Perhaps most important, Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells. This timely book compares the impact of public and private research funding and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the book offers authoritative recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal government in this field of research, and other fundamental issues.

Do real stem cells and stem cell lineages exist in lower organisms? Can stem cells from one organism parasitize the soma and/or the germ line of conspecifics? Can differentiated cells in marine organisms be re-programmed to regenerate tissues, organs and appendages through novel de-differentiation, transdifferentiation, or re-differentiation processes, leading to virtually all three germ layers, including the germline? The positive answers to above questions open a new avenue in stem cell research: the biology of stem cells in marine organisms. It is therefore unfortunate that while the literature on stem cell from terrestrial organisms is rich and expanding at an exponential rate, investigations on marine organisms’ stem cells are very limited and scarce. By presenting theoretical chapters, overview essays and specific research results, this book summarises the knowledge and the hypotheses on stem cells in marine organisms through major phyla and specific model organisms. The study on stem cells from marine invertebrates may shed lights on mechanisms promoting immunity, developmental biology, regeneration and budding processes in marine invertebrates, body maintenance, aging and senescence. It aims in encouraging a larger scientific community to follow and study the novel phenomena of stem cells behaviours as depicted from the few currently studied marine invertebrates.

The study of the process through which animals and plants develop and grow is known as developmental biology. There are various aspects which are covered under developmental biology such as asexual reproduction, metamorphosis and the biology of regeneration. Some of the processes which are studied under this discipline are morphogenesis, cell differentiation and regional specification. Research in developmental biology makes use of a small number of model organisms. These non-human organisms are chosen with the aim that discoveries which are made in the study of these models will provide insights into the workings of other organisms. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of developmental biology which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

What is a stem cell? We have a basic working definition, but the way we observe a stem cell function in a dish may not represent how it functions in a living organism. Only this is clear: Stem cells are the engine room of multicelluar organisms—both plants and animals. However, controversies, breakthroughs, and frustration continue to swirl in eternal storms through this rapidly moving area of research. But what does the average person make of all this, and how can an interested scholar probe this vast sea of information? The Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research provides a clear understanding of the basic concepts in stem cell biology and addresses the politics, ethics, and challenges currently facing the field. While stem cells are exciting alone, they are also clearly fueling the traditional areas of developmental biology and the field of regenerative medicine. These two volumes present more than 320 articles that explore major topics related to the emerging science of stem cell research and therapy. Key Features · Describes the different types of stem cells that have been reported so far and, where possible, tries to explain for each age, tissue, and species what is known about the biology of the cells and their history · Captures a strong sense of stem cell biology as it stands today and provides the reader with a reference manual to probe the mysteries of the field · Considers various religious, legal, and political perspectives · Includes selected reprints of major journal articles that pertain to the milestones achieved in stem cell research · Elucidates stem cell terminology for the nonscientist. Key Themes · Biology · Clinical Trials · Countries · Diseases · Ethics · History and Technology · Industry · Institutions · Legal · Organizations · People · Politics · Religion · States With contributions from scholars and institutional experts in the stem cell and social sciences, this Encyclopedia provides a primarily nonscientific resource to understanding the complexities of stem cell research for academic and public libraries.