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Neural stem cells offer a valuable model system for delineating the cellular and developmental processes in normal and diseased states of the central nervous system. In particular, neural stem cells have huge potential in regenerative medicine, owing to their expansion capability in culture and the ability to differentiate into multiple sub-neural lineages. Neural Stem Cell Assays provides a detailed and comprehensive review of the basic methods for neural stem cell cultures. Including an overview of progress in the field over the past decade, Neural Stem Cell Assays is a one-stop reference for consistent methods and reliable tools that span the entire assay work flow, from isolation or generation of neural stem cells to characterization, manipulation and final application of neural stem cells in disease paradigms such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. An excellent source of information for academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers who are new to the neural stem cell field, Neural Stem Cell Assays is an invaluable to experienced users who wish to integrate newly developed tools and technologies into their workflow. The book also covers important course material for students at the undergraduate and graduate level who are learning the basics of neural stem cell cultures, and differentiation to sub-neural lineages.

Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics aims to bring together key developments in the areas of molecular diagnostics, therapeutics and drug discovery. The book covers topics including diagnostics, therapeutics, model systems, clinical trials and drug discovery. The developing approaches to molecular and cellular therapies, diagnostics and drug discovery are presented in the context of the pathologies they are devised to treat.

The surface pigmentation of vertebrates is controlled by specialized cells able to synthesize a variety of pigments collectively known as melanins. Recent research has shown that melanins are produced not only in the skin but also in many other sites such as the eye, inner ear, muscles, etc., - where they are engaged in some unanticipated roles. The details of the synthetic pathway, the complexities of its regulation and biological significance that have been unravelled in recent research comprise a fascinating story and are of key importance in understanding the nature of diseases, including malignant melanoma one of the most rapidly spreading cancers.

This first book to cover this new topic at the interface of cell biology, immunology and infection biology offers a unique insight as to how the innate and possibly the adaptive immune system are shaped by cellular mechanisms. Following a comprehensive introduction to autophagy, the work features cellular mechanisms and medical implications, structured according to all major pathogens, while also covering emerging infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Edited by one of the authors of a groundbreaking paper on this topic.