Stem Cells: A Cellular Fountain of Youth


Book Description

The developmental capabilities and therapeutic potential of stem cells are being revealed in studies of cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate their proliferation, differentiation and survival. "Stem Cells: A Cellular Fountain of Youth" reviews the current state of understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate embryonic and adult stem cells with an emphasis on how aging and age-related disease impact on these mechanisms. Leading authorities detail the properties and therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cells, and stem cell precursors of blood, nervous and muscle and bone cells. Recent advances in deciphering the environmental signals and intrinsic signal transduction pathways that regulate embryonic stem cells are described, and the potential therapeutic uses of these totipotent cells is considered. Analyses of hematopoietic stem cells during aging suggest an important genetic component to the control of their self-renewing capability which may contribute to determination of lifespan. The contribution of lymphocyte depletion to impaired immune function during aging is considered, as is the potential of hematopoietic cells to form other types of cells including neurons. Several chapters cover the remarkable and rapidly advancing field of neural stem cells. The adult brain contains populations of stem cells capable of forming new neurons and glial cells; the signals that regulate these neural stem cells and the involvement of neurogenesis in normal brain function is described. Because of their potential to replace lost or damaged neurons, there has been intense interest in determining the therapeutic potential of stem cells for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, stroke and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Heart and skeletal muscle contain stem cells and the impact of aging and disease on these stem cell populations and the potential of stem cell therapy to recover function of these organs is reviewed. A final example of the fascinating world of stem cells is a review of the roles of stem cells in bone formation and remodeling. Collectively, this book provides a comprehensive, yet concise, view of stem cell molecular biology in the context of aging and age-related disease. This book will be a valuable reference for graduate students and senior scientists interested in the fascinating world of stem cells and their potential use in the clinic.




Stem Cells


Book Description

Stem Cells have fascinated scientists, doctors, and now the public. Stem cells are blank or undifferentiated cells that turn in to specialized cells and tissues in the area of the body that they are introduced.




Stem Cells Using the Bodies Own Cells to Treat Injuries, Reverse Aging and Now Regrow Hair


Book Description

Since the beginning of time, we have been looking for the fountain of youth. This has opened the doors for charlatans and con men, thought out the centuries, to separate us from our gold and silver, with promises of eternal youth. The prime example in the eighteen hundreds was the medicine wagons traveling across the parries, offering entertainment, and curing for everything from gout to baldness.




Molecular Mechanisms of Adult Stem Cell Aging


Book Description

There is growing evidence that adult stem cells age. This process can result in alterations in the number and function of stem cells, leading to distinct phenotypic outcomes in different organ systems. This publication provides an outstanding overview of this emerging field.The molecular causes of stem cell aging remain to be defined. Stem cell aging can involve cell-intrinsic as well as cell-extrinsic alterations affecting the stem cell niche or the macroenvironment. Stem cells have a longer life span than other cell populations and retain a capacity to proliferate and differentiate in adult organs. The aging of adult stem cells plays a key role in the decline of organ maintenance and regenerative potential during aging and during the end stage of chronic diseases. In addition, it can contribute to stem cell transformation and carcinogenesis.Molecular Mechanisms of Adult Stem Cell Aging will appeal to scientists working in the fields such as stem cells, aging, regeneration and cancer. This subject matter should be of interest to physicians and scientists specializing in geriatric medicine, internal medicine, and surgery. It is also likely to be an invaluable resource for medical students and biologists who wish to enhance their understanding of molecular and stem cell biology.




Adult Stem Cells in Aging, Diseases and Cancer


Book Description

The functionality of adult tissue stem cells from various organ systems declines during aging. This publication summarizes novel molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of aging-associated deficiencies as discussed by leading experts during the 5th Else Kröner-Fresenius Symposium. It is the first book that explicitly focuses on molecular mechanisms of stem cell aging and its consequences for disease and cancer development including both cell-intrinsic mechanisms as well as aging-induced alterations in the stem cell niche and the systemic environment. Cutting-edge information on stem cells, aging, cancer, and disease make this publication of special interest to basic researchers in the respective fields. Further, it is also intended for medical doctors in the fields of geriatrics, internal medicine, and cancer as it provides a novel understanding of the evolution of tissue dysfunction, diseases and cancer as a consequence of aging.




Advances in Stem Cell Aging


Book Description

Adult stem cells are present in most postnatal tissues of mammals. Tissues with high rates of cell turnover depend on the functional capacity of stem cells for lifelong maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Adult stem cells are also required for the regeneration of tissues in response to injury as in, for example, the regeneration of skeletal muscle. In addition to its function in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, adult stem cells can represent the cell type of origin of various types of cancers including leukemia and colorectal cancer. Stem cells are the most long-lived cells in the proliferative compartment of mammalian tissues. Therefore, stem cells have an increased risk of acquiring mutations that could ultimately lead to the transformation of tissue stem cells.This publication presents the current knowledge in the field of stem cell aging, which was discussed at the Else Kröner-Fresenius Symposium on Advances in Stem Cell Aging in 2011. It will be of special interest to scientists working on stem cell research, aging, regeneration, and cancer as well as physicians and scientists specializing in geriatric medicine, internal medicine, and surgery.




Handbook of Stem Cells


Book Description

Accompanying CD-ROM (in v. 2) has image collections which can be saved in PowerPoint or HTML.




Stem Cells and Aging


Book Description

Stem Cells and Aging covers what is known about the effect of time and age on the basic units of life, which are the corresponding tissue-specific or adult stem cells. Even though the concept of stem cells was introduced nearly a century ago by Alexander Maximow, modern stem-cell research began in 1963 when James Till, Ernest McCullough and Lou Siminovitch established assays to detect hematopoietic stem cells. In fact, given the importance of the aging-associated diseases, scientists have developed a keen interest in understanding the aging process as they attempt to define the role of dysfunctional stem cells in the aging process. With an aging population worldwide, understanding these age-related stem cell changes at a basic biology level and at the level of their influences for regenerative medicine is of interest and importance. There is increasing evidence that the aging process can have much adverse effects on stem cells. In the modern era, one of the emerging fields in treating human diseases is stem cell research, as stem cells have the remarkable potential to treat a wide range of diseases. Nevertheless, understanding the molecular mechanism involved in aging and deterioration of stem cell function is crucial in developing effective new therapies for aging. Serves as an ideal reference to guide investigators toward valuable answers to the problems of our aging population Addresses the effect of time and age on human stem cells Includes chapters from contributors exploring the biology of stem cell aging around the globe




Stem Cells: An Insider's Guide


Book Description

Stem Cells: An Insider's Guide is an exciting new book that takes readers inside the world of stem cells guided by international stem cell expert, Dr. Paul Knoepfler. Stem cells are catalyzing a revolution in medicine. The book also tackles the exciting and hotly debated area of stem cell treatments that are capturing the public's imagination. In the future they may also transform how we age and reproduce. However, there are serious risks and ethical challenges, too. The author's goal with this insider's guide is to give readers the information needed to distinguish between the ubiquitous hype and legitimate hope found throughout the stem cell world. The book answers the most common questions that people have about stem cells. Can stem cells help my family with a serious medical problem such as Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, or Autism? Are such treatments safe? Can stem cells make me look younger or even literally stay physically young? These questions and many more are answered here.A number of ethical issues related to stem cells that spark debates are discussed, including risky treatments, cloning and embryonic stem cells. The author breaks new ground in a number of ways such as by suggesting reforms to the FDA, providing a new theory of aging based on stem cells, and including a revolutionary Stem Cell Patient Bill of Rights. More generally, the book is your guide to where the stem cell field will be in the near future as well as a thoughtful perspective on how stem cell therapies will ultimately change your life and our world.




Stem Cells


Book Description

Each title in the highly acclaimed Opposing Viewpoints series explores a specific issue by placing expert opinions in a unique pro/con format; the viewpoints are selected from a wide range of highly respected and often hard-to-find publications.;; "Each volume in the Opposing Viewpoints Series could serve as a model not only providing access to a wide diversity of opinions, but also stimulating readers to do further research for group discussion and individual interest. Both shrill and moderate, th"