This volume presents up-to-date methods that allow primary stem cells from a variety of sources to be isolated, cultured in vitro, detected and measured for specific applications. These applications range from those in basic, stem cell and veterinary research to toxicology, cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. There is a slight bias towards the blood-forming system as more is known about the blood-forming or hematopoietic system than any other primary stem cell system. These unique properties and characteristics are discussed and examined, mostly at the cellular level and in detail in this book. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and accessible, Stem Cell Protocols provides novices with the fundamentals necessary to develop new technologies necessary for basic and clinical research in the future, and will aid professionals in finding new methodologies to provide a wider viewpoint and an even greater scope for their own research.

1. A Short Primer in Stem Cell Biology

Ivan N. Rich

2. Measurement of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Proliferation, Self-Renewal and Expansion Potential

Ivan N. Rich

3. Measuring the Aging Process in Stem Cells

Yi Liu, Gary Van Zant, and Ying Liang

4. Measuring the Potency of a Stem Cell Therapeutic

Holli Harper and Ivan N. Rich

5. Culturing Protocols for Human Multipotent Adult Stem Cells

Bart Vaes, Sara Walbers, Kristel Gijbels, David Craeye, Robert Deans, Jef Pinxteren, and Wouter van't Hof

6. The Isolation of Murine Bone Marrow Scavenging Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells

Peter A. M. McCourt, Ana Oteiza, and Susan K. Nilsson

7. Analysis of Circadian Rhythms in Embryonic Stem Cells

Jiffin K. Paulose, Edmund B. Rucker III, Vincent M. Cassone

8. Measuring Stem Cell Circadian Rhythms

William Hrushesky and Ivan N. Rich

9. Cryopreservation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A General Protocol

Tamamichi Miyazaki and Hirofumi Suemori

10. Biological Differences Between Native and Cultured Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Implications for Therapies

Elena Jones and Richard Schaefer

11. The Use of Multiparameter Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting to Characterize Native Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)

Sally Boxall and Elena Jones

12. High Yield Recovery of Equine MEsenchymal Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord Matrix/Wharton's Jelly Using a Semi-Automated Process

Timo Z. Nazari-Shafti, Ivone G. Bruno, Rudy Martinez, Michael E. Coleman, Eckhard U. Alt, and Scott R. McClure

13. Isolation and Functional Assessment of Cutaneous Stem Cells

Yanne S. Doucet and David M. Owens

14. Isolation of Adult Stem Cell Populations from the Human Cornea

Matthew J. Branch, Wing-Yan Yu, Carl Sheridan, and Andrew Hopkinson

15. Advanced Imaging and Tissue Engineering of the Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Niche

Isobel Massie, Marc Dziasko, Alvena Kureshi, Hannah J. Levis, Louise Morgan, Michael Neale, Radhika Sheth, Victoria E. Tovell, Amanda J. Vernon, James L. Funderburgh, and Jule T. Daniels

16. Isolation and Characterization of Stem Cells in the Adult Mammalian Ovary

Seema Parte, Hiren Patel, Kalpana Sriraman, and Deepa Bhartiya

17. Clonal Culture of Adult Mouse Lung Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells

Jonathan L. McQualter and Ivan Bertoncello

18. Culture and Characterization of Mammary Cancer Stem Cells in Mammospeheres

Eleonora Piscitelli, Cinzia Cocola, Frank Rdiger Thaden, Paride Peluchi, Brian Gray, Giovanni Bertalot, Alberto Albertini, Rolland Reinbold, and Ileana Zucchi

19. Isolation and Culture of Primary Glioblastoma Cells from Human Tumor Specimens

Sascha Seidel, Boyan K .Garvalov, and Till Acker