Germ Cell Protocols

The study of germ cells has undergone enormous advances in recent years and has entered into an explosive phase of new discoveries with the introd- tion of transgenic technologies and nuclear cloning. Basic knowledge and te- niques developed for lower vertebrate and invertebrate systems have facilitated the study of higher vertebrates, including humans. Many experiments that have first been performed on lower vertebrates provided the tools and strategies that could later be applied to other less readily available mammalian systems. The discovery of centrosomes in ascidians and sea urchin eggs now benefits st- ies of fertility and infertility in mammals including humans. External in vitro fertilization, now a common technique in assisted fertilization has only been possible as a result of numerous studies in lower systems in which external fertilization is natural. Egg activation, first explored in sea urchin and asc- ian eggs, now benefits cloning efficiency in farm and domestic animals. Gene manipulations and molecular methods have added to the possibilities of p- ducing live offspring with enormous biomedical, ecological, and economic implications. All sexually reproducing organisms produce primordial germ cells, a small population of cells that differentiate into gametes of either sex that carry to- potency, an ability to develop into an entire new organism. The two volumes on germ cells combine techniques in a variety of different systems and have selected those systems that have provided landmarks in advancing our kno- edge on germ cells.

All sexually reproducing organisms produce primordial germ cells, a small population of cells that differentiate into gametes of either sex and carry to- potency, an ability to develop into an entire new organism. The study of germ cells has undergone enormous advances in recent years and has entered into an explosive phase of new discoveries with the introduction of transgenic te- nologies and nuclear cloning. Basic knowledge and techniques developed for lower vertebrate and invertebrate systems have facilitated the study of higher vertebrates, including humans. Many experiments that have first been performed on lower vertebrates provided the tools and strategies that could later be applied to other less readily available mammalian systems. The discovery of centrosomes in ascidians and sea urchin eggs now benefits studies of fertility and infertility in mammals. External in vitro fertilization, now a common technique in assisted fertilization, has only been possible as a result of numerous studies in lower systems in which external fertilization is natural. Egg activation, first explored in sea urchin and ascidian eggs, now benefits techniques designed to increase cl- ing efficiency in farm and domestic animals. Gene manipulations and molecular methods have added to the possibilities of producing live offspring with en- mous biomedical, ecological, and economic implications. The two volumes on germ cells combine techniques in a variety of d- ferent systems; we have selected those systems that have provided landmarks in advancing our knowledge on germ cells.

This detailed volume explores techniques for the isolation, purification, and establishment of in vitro germ cell (GS) systems at different stages of development in a variety of organisms, including chickens, mice, rats, and humans. The book additionally describes cutting-edge analytic and informatic tools to study germ cell development at the single cell level and meiotic recombination. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Germ Cell Development: Methods and Protocols provides new insight into the understanding of basic biological aspects of germ cell biology, as well as the opportunity for in vitro manipulation of germ cells for toxicology studies and for genetic intervention.

Germ cell tumors are relatively rare compared with other malignancies, and compilations of knowledge that encompass the entire spectrum of the disease are lacking. This textbook, written by the foremost authorities in the field, rectifies the situation by discussing in depth a broad range of topics, including biology, epidemiology, pathology, treatment, and late effects. Bearing in mind that germ cell tumors are most prevalent in the adolescent and young adult age group, causes of disease and treatment approaches in pediatric and adult patients are compared and contrasted. By spanning the entire life course, from prenatal origins of disease through to treatment in adults and late effects of treatment, the editors have produced a book that will be of interest to both pediatric and adult oncologists.

All sexually reproducing organisms produce primordial germ cells, a small population of cells that differentiate into gametes of either sex and carry to- potency, an ability to develop into an entire new organism. The study of germ cells has undergone enormous advances in recent years and has entered into an explosive phase of new discoveries with the introduction of transgenic te- nologies and nuclear cloning. Basic knowledge and techniques developed for lower vertebrate and invertebrate systems have facilitated the study of higher vertebrates, including humans. Many experiments that have first been performed on lower vertebrates provided the tools and strategies that could later be applied to other less readily available mammalian systems. The discovery of centrosomes in ascidians and sea urchin eggs now benefits studies of fertility and infertility in mammals. External in vitro fertilization, now a common technique in assisted fertilization, has only been possible as a result of numerous studies in lower systems in which external fertilization is natural. Egg activation, first explored in sea urchin and ascidian eggs, now benefits techniques designed to increase cl- ing efficiency in farm and domestic animals. Gene manipulations and molecular methods have added to the possibilities of producing live offspring with en- mous biomedical, ecological, and economic implications. The two volumes on germ cells combine techniques in a variety of d- ferent systems; we have selected those systems that have provided landmarks in advancing our knowledge on germ cells.

This third edition volume expands on the previous editions with new discussion on the latest techniques and model systems used to study germline stem cells. The chapters in this book cover topics such as analysis of the C. elegans germline stem cell pool; live imaging of the Drosophila testis stem cell niche; standardization of single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis workflow to study Drosophila ovary; 3D analysis of the intact mouse ovary; and derivation and primordial germ cell induction of intermediate pluripotent stem cells. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and practical, Germline Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition is a valuable resource for all researchers in the germ stem cell community interested in learning more about this developing field.