Search

Comprehensive coverage of the entire induced pluripotent stem cell basic work flow Pluripotent stem cells (PSC) can divide indefinitely, self-renew, and can differentiate to functionally reconstitute almost any cell in the normal developmental pathway, given the right conditions. This comprehensive book, which was developed from a training course, covers all of the PSCs (embryonic, embryonic germ, and embryonic carcinoma) and their functions. It demonstrates the feeder-dependent and feeder-free culture of hESC and hiPSC, which will be referred to in all protocols as PSCs. It also addresses the methods commonly used to determine pluripotency, as defined by self-renewal marker expression and differentiation potential. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Practical Guide offers in-depth chapter coverage of introduction to stem cell, PSC culture, reprogramming, differentiation, PSC characterization, and more. It also includes four appendixes containing information on reagents, medias, and solutions; common antibodies; consumable and equipment; and logs and forms. Includes helpful tips and tricks that are normally omitted from regular research papers Features useful images to support the technical aspects and results visually as well as diagrammatic illustrations Presents specific sections (ie: reprogramming, differentiation) in a concise and easily digestible manner Written by experts with extensive experience in stem cell technologies Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Practical Guide is an ideal text for stem cell researchers, including principal investigators, and others in university and industry settings, and for new graduate students in PSC labs.

Estimates based on sequencing data suggest that there are around 5.1 million species of fungi. Yet only a small number of fungi are harmful to animals, including humans. In addition to host-pathogen interactions, there are also mutualistic interactions between fungi and animals. Diseases caused by pathogenic fungi range from allergic reactions and superficial infections to invasive mycoses, and have a significant impact on human and animal life. Fungi are also cultivated by animals as a food source in highly developed relationships or are even involved in gut mutualism. This 3rd edition of Volume 6 of The Mycota highlights exemplary interactions between fungal pathogens and their host(s). The book is organized in three parts: Part 1 summarizes our current understanding of important pathogenic fungi such as Candida species, Malassezia yeasts, Aspergillus fumigatus and fungi of the order Mucorales. Part 2 addresses the characterization of the host response towards pathogenic fungi. It focuses on RNA as a mediator of host-pathogen interactions, the human gut mycobiome, the role of the innate immune system in fighting infections, pattern recognition receptors involved in fungal infections, and a summary of established infection models for studying host-fungal-pathogen interactions. Part 3 provides insights into the impact transcriptomics and proteomics technologies have on the research of human-pathogenic fungi. The up-to-date reviews by experts in the field provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the various research topics in the field of human and animal relationships with fungi and will hopefully help researchers to find inspiration for their own research.

Most biological pathways, physical and neurological properties are highly conserved between humans and Drosophila and nearly 75% of human disease-causing genes have a functional homologue in Drosophila. This volume provides recent advances in Drosophila models for various human diseases, with each chapter providing a review of studies involving Drosophila models, as well as detailed protocols commonly used in laboratories. Starting with a review of Drosophila's value as a highly tractable model organism for studying human diseases, subsequent chapters present Drosophila models for specific human diseases. The book provides a useful resource for all scientists who are starting to use the Drosophila model in their studies, and for researchers working in the pharmaceutical industry and using new screening models to develop new medicines for various diseases.

Human Molecular Genetics has been carefully crafted over successive editions to provide an authoritative introduction to the molecular aspects of human genetics, genomics and cell biology.Maintaining the features that have made previous editions so popular, this fifth edition has been completely updated in line with the latest developments in the field. Older technologies such as cloning and hybridization have been merged and summarized, coverage of newer DNA sequencing technologies has been expanded, and powerful new gene editing and single-cell genomics technologies have been added. The coverage of GWAS, functional genomics, stem cells, and disease modeling has been expanded. Greater focus is given to inheritance and variation in the context of populations and on the role of epigenetics in gene regulation. Key features: Fully integrated approach to the molecular aspects of human genetics, genomics, and cell biology Accessible text is supported and enhanced throughout by superb artwork illustrating the key concepts and mechanisms Summary boxes at the end of each chapter provide clear learning points Annotated further reading helps readers navigate the wealth of additional information in this complex subject and provides direction for further study Reorganized into five sections for improved access to related topics Also new to this edition – brand new chapter on evolution and anthropology from the authors of the highly acclaimed Human Evolutionary Genetics A proven and popular textbook for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students, the new edition of Human Molecular Genetics remains the ‘go-to'book for those studying human molecular genetics or genomics courses around the world.

The main goal of this book is to form a high-quality platform in which well-known and emerging pioneering basic, translational and clinical scientists can present their latest, exciting findings in the studies of redox signaling in the pulmonary vasculature. Content from outstanding investigators with unique expertise and skills of molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, biophysics, biotechnology and medicine will update our current out-of-date concepts with new knowledge. Rapidly increasing scientific studies have gathered a large volume of novel and important information on redox signaling in healthy and diseased pulmonary vasculature. This volume covers the need for a cohesive book to display state-of-the-art advances in the field. The second major aim of this book is to help direct future research. Redox signaling is a major molecular process involved in almost every physiologic cellular response in the pulmonary vasculature including energy metabolism, host defense, gene expression, contraction, proliferation, and migration. Aberrancy in this important signaling pathway leads to a critical role in the development of nearly all pulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, pulmonary edema, and vasculitis, among others.

This book discusses the role of oxidative stress in the reproductive system. The book reviews endogenous sources, methods of determining its levels in body fluid/tissues, the physiological roles of ROS, as well as its negative effects on the human reproductive processes. Also discussed are multiple extrinsic factors that could induce oxidative stress in the reproductive system. This volume covers various clinical pathologies related to the reproductive system that arise from or produce oxidative stress, both in the male and female. The use of antioxidants as a therapeutic measure to keep ROS levels in check are highlighted, describing the outcome of various clinical studies involving antioxidant supplementation in infertile patients. Infertility is a global disease that affects 15-25% of all couples, and oxidative stress arising from a multitude of sources has been implicated as one of the major contributing factors to the decline in human fertility. As such, this bookprovides an up-to-date review on the significance of ROS in human reproduction.

This unique book explores the role of retrotransposons in human health and disease. The ability of retrotransposons to affect the structure of human genes is recognized since the late 80's. However, the advances of deep-sequencing technologies have shed new light on the extent of retrotransposon-mediated genome variations. These progresses have also led to the discovery that retrotransposon activity is not restricted to the germline - resulting in inheritable genetic variations - but can also mobilize in somatic tissues, such as embryonic stem cells, neuronal progenitor cells, or in many cancers. This book covers topics related to the effects of retrotransposon insertions, and their consequences on germline and somatic genome dynamics, but also discuss the role and impact of retrotransposons sequences in a broader context, including a number of novel topics that emerged recently (long non-coding RNA, neuronal disorders, exaptation) with unexpected connections between retrotransposons, stem cell maintenance, placentation, circadian cycles or aging.

This book provides the first comprehensive coverage of the quickly evolving research field of membrane contact sites (MCS). A total of 16 chapters explain their organization and role and unveil the significance of MCS for various diseases. MCS, the intracellular structures where organellar membranes come in close contact with one another, mediate the exchange of proteins, lipids, and ions. Via these functions, MCS are critical for the survival and the growth of the cell. Owing to that central role in the functioning of cells, MCS dysfunctions lead to important defects of human physiology, influence viral and bacterial infection, and cause disease such as inflammation, type II diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. To approach such a multifaceted topic, this volume assembles a series of chapters dealing with the full array of research about MCS and their respective roles for diseases. Most chapters also introduce the history and the state of the art ofMCS research, which will initiate discussion points for the respective types of MCS for years to come. This work will appeal to all cell biologists as well as researchers on diseases that are impacted by MCS dysfunction. Additionally, it will stimulate graduate students and postdocs who will energize, drive, and develop the research field in the near future.

This second edition of the book on Store-operated Ca2+ Entry Pathways has been updated with the newest discoveries that emerged in the field within the last five years. The crystal structure of the Ca2+ signaling core complex is described which adds to a new understanding of the molecular interactions involved. Each chapter has been revised and extended. The book retains its interdisciplinary approach and supplies biochemists, cell biologists and biophysicists as well as clinicians in immunology, neurology and cardiology with valuable information on Ca2+ signaling mechanisms, functions, dysfunctions and their consequences.

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.

A growing majority of women in the western hemisphere have been delaying initiation of childbearing to later in life. Consequently, more women in their late 30s to early 40s are attempting to get pregnant for the first time than ever before. Since the incidence of most cancers increases with age, delayed childbearing results in more female cancer survivors interested in fertility preservation. In this book, the editors provide strategies for fertility preservation in women and men who require gonadotoxic treatment. In addition, epidemiologic, ethical, medico-legal, psychologic, and social aspects of fertility preservation are discussed. Using a format that combines concise scientific background with practical methodological information and easy-to-grasp algorithms, the chapters all conform to a uniform structure, including a brief abstract, keyword glossary, step by step protocol of laboratory procedures, key issues in commentary and a list of references. The result is a unique, practical reference guide for reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, embryologists, reproductive scientists, and oncologists.

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) serves to control essential functions throughout the human body and represents a novel and attractive target for therapeutic intervention. This book provides an extensive overview of the role of SOCE pathways in Molecular Physiology and Cell Biology, as well as their clinical significance. (Patho)physiological principles and emerging therapeutic strategies are delineated in a way that is valuable both for the education of graduate students in advanced Cell Biology/Molecular Physiology and for the promotion of innovative research and developments in the clinical/therapeutic fields. A comprehensive, clear and elaborate representation of current concepts is provided, including a pathophysiological section arranged in a tissue/organ/system-oriented manner. The book is intended for basic researchers specializing in cell signaling, ion transport, or pharmacology, as well as biomedical scientists and clinicians with a focus on immunology, neurology or cardiology.

Every cell of the body is dependent on calcium to function. Calcium is found in teeth and bones, and calcium signalling is necessary for the movement of muscles and for the action of the heart and the intestines as well as blood coagulation. Calcium in Living Cells will update classic techniques in detecting microscopic levels of calcium ions (Ca2+) in living cells, as well as address new techniques in the field of calcium detection and calcium signaling. Such detection and measurement of intracellular calcium is important to researchers studying the heart, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and immune systems, whose findings will aid in the advancement of drug and genomic therapies to treat heart, gastrointestinal, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. - Gives researchers much needed information on how to study calcium in live cells, which is becoming increasingly important in heart, musculoskeletal, and immune system research - Provides an overview of the latest methods--fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), for example-- that are new to the field - Allows understanding of how calcium plays a role in intracellular function at the cellular level, which has proved important in Alzheimer's research, heart disease, and areas of musculoskeletal research - Updated chapters reflect advancements in the classic techniques used'preparing calcium buffers, vibrating the Ca2+ Electrode and confocal imaging

Mitochondrial DNA is one of the most explored genetic systems because of what it can tell us about the human past. This volume takes a unique perspective, presenting the disparate strands that must be tied together to exploit this system. From molecular biology to anthropology, statistics to ancient DNA, this first volume of three presents the global picture of human mitochondrial DNA variation. It takes a critical look at the field, flagging the problems, as well as the successes, and always placing the mitochondrial phylogeny centre stage.

In this fully revised edition of an established classic, expert researchers and clinicians describe in step-by-step detail updated techniques for the isolation and growth of the major primary cell types, such as kidney proximal tubule cells, hepatocytes, keratinocytes, and cardiomyocytes. The authors offer readily reproducible new methods for the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into various hematopoietic cell types, for fetal thymic organ culture, and for the isolation and culture of specialized cell types, such as mammary progenitor cells, skeletal muscle myofibers, mesenchymal cells, neural stem cells, hematopoietic cells, stromal cell lines, and endothelial cells. Additional chapters describe new techniques (leukocyte rolling, isolation of side population cells, and scalable production of ES-derived cells) and detail quality control methods for cell lines (detection and elimination of mycoplasma, DNA fingerprinting, and cytogenetic analysis). The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Up-to-date and highly practical, Basic Cell Culture Protocols, Third Edition, offers basic scientists and clinician-researchers powerful tools to isolate, culture, and characterize the promising specialized cell types in demand today.