Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Recent developments in both animal models and clinicalapplication have changed our concepts and views about theidentity and characteristics of stem cells. Many of thepioneers of these new experimental and theoreticaldevelopments have contributed their expertise to this volumefocusing on the most primitive hematopoietic stem cells.They both describe recent progress and outline the futuredirection of the field.The great strides in research deal with the purification ofstem cells, the characterization of microenvironmentalregulators, the use of stem cells as vectors of genetherapy, and the identification of different sources forthese rare cells.The exciting new developments in clinical application expandthe scope of stem cell transplantation as a curative therapyfor a variety of diseases. These new approaches include stemcell transplantation in uteri and new sources of stem cellssuch ascord blood and fetal tissues.This overview will enable you to compare the newest trendsand developments, site by site, in stem cell research andclinical application.