Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook [Hardcover]

Stephen Sullivan (Editor), Chad A Cowan (Editor), Kevin Eggan (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0470033568 | ISBN-13: 978-0470033562 | Edition: 1

With this valuable practical guide, three members of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have compiled and edited the definite handbook for the exciting new field of human embryonic stem cell research. The editors have gathered protocols from scientists with extensive reputation and expertise, describing and comparing currently used techniques for the culture of human stem cells and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook contains the first centralised collection of methods used in human embryonic stem cell biology. The book covers the derivation of human stem cell lines, the obtaining of cells from human stem cell banks, the culturing and characterisation of the cells, and the differentiation of the cells in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, almost all of these protocols can also be used for analyzing and manipulating induced pluripotency iPS stem cells. This allows an even greater number of opportunities for those interested in purusing work in pluripotent stem cells, disease modelling, and other aspects of basic regenerative medicine research.

The novel and useful focus of this book sets it apart from other available books:

• Compares and evaluates the protocols used in leading laboratories working on human embryonic stem cells
• Centred solely on practical protocols for human (not mouse) embryonic stem cell research
• Includes extensive troubleshooting sections
• Addresses the different proclivities and behaviours of individual human embryonic cell lines
• Contains techniques currently known only to a small number of specialised laboratories worldwide

This handbook represents an essential source of up-to-date practical information for all cell and developmental biologists working with human embryonic stem cells or wishing to enter the field. It is also essential reading for clinical researchers in areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases.

Praise from the reviews:

"...a highly readable and useful book… A notable feature of the book is its air of openness and honesty… This book… will help many to navigate the uncharted waters of human embryonic stem cell biology." BRITISH SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY

"... the imaginative solutions in this book can inspire us to get past our most frustrating limitations." CELL STEM CELL

"... the richness in the details of each protocol presented will certainly encourage more scientists to begin studies of Human pluripotent stem cells..."  REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

"In this fast-moving field, this [handbook] will help drive advances of more and more researchers."  DIFFERENTIATION

"...a valuable resource for seasoned and novice researchers... an excellent addition to the reference collection of any medical library or research laboratory." THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A highly readable and useful book … .[It] will help many to navigate the uncharted waters of human embryonic stem cell biology."  (The British Society for Cell Biology Newsletter, Autumn, 2008)

"[It] is a valuable resource for seasoned and novice researchers; it would make an excellent addition to the reference collection of any medical library or research laboratory." (American Medical Association, September 2008)

"...the imaginative solutions in this book can inspire us to get past our most frustrating limitations." (Cell Stem Cell, September 2007)

"...the richness in the details of each protocol presented will certainly encourage more scientists to begin studies of Human ES cells..."  (Regenerative Medicine, 2007)

"In this fast-moving field, this [handbook] will help drive advances of more and more researchers."  (Differentiation, 2007)

"A highly readable and useful book ... [This book] will help many to navigate the uncharted waters of human embryonic stem cell biology." (British Society for Cell Biology, Autumn, 2008)

From the Back Cover

Since their isolation in 1998, human embryonic stem (ES) cells have been used as a powerful experimental model for studying the mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation in humans. However, the protocols by which these cells are grown still differ considerably from laboratory to laboratory and standardisation is needed in this young area of research.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook contains all basic methods for sourcing, deriving, culturing, and manipulating human ES cells. The editors have gathered the leading scientists in the field to describe the protocols that they have carried out and tested in their own labs.

The book

• Contains practical information for newcomers to the field: from how to source human ES cells from international cell banks to organizing the laboratory to accommodate work with these cells.

• Provides protocols for routine culture as well as specialized protocols for directing differentiation into specific cell lineages.

• Addresses the different proclivities and behaviours of individual human ES cell lines: authors state which lines they tried their protocols on and, more importantly, which lines worked best.

• Includes troubleshooting sections that address common problems and offer advice on how these can be overcome.

• Follows a simple, concise, and consistent structure: background material and hypothesizing are kept to a minimum to insure clarity and usability at the bench.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook is the essential source of up-to-date, practical information for all researchers and clinicians working with human embryonic stem cells.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470033568
• ISBN-13: 978-0470033562
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 1.1 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,300,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, January 18, 2008

By 

JDB "JDB" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook (Hardcover)

Excellent handbook. One chapter on endoderm induction was particularly useful for our research, as well as a section showing how different cell lines behaved in terms of differentiation potential. We found all the protocols tested to be robust. Troubleshooting sections were well written and easy to follow.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally helpful, January 14, 2008

By 

Science Guy 275 "Science Guy 275" (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook (Hardcover)

This book really helped us a lot. We recently started reprogrammed human skin cells via the Yamanaka method to make pluripotent stem cells and we have used the protocols in this book to characterise the cells and differentiate them into different cell types. We are currently using Zwaka's chapter to make reporter lines. What's brilliant is there is lots in this book about what to do when things go well.

Worth every penny.