Recent years have seen ever increasing interest in the discovery of adult stem cells and the elucidation of their properties. During this time, much basic research has been carried out, with the results now clearly holding high promise for regenerative medicine. In Adult Stem Cells, a worldwide cohort of distinguished investigators critically reviews these many studies to produce a state-of-the-art understanding of adult stem cell types and their regulation. These authors examine the derivation, characterization, and utility of adult stem cells found in skeletal muscle, dental pulp, prostate, kidney, the eye, inner ear, and other tissues. They pay special attention to adult stem cell plasticity and their utility in normal tissue homeostasis, as well as their applications in regenerative medicine. Detailed discussions allow ready comparisons among the models and approaches used for each tissue and cell type covered.
Comprehensive and state-of-the-art, Adult Stem Cells not only illuminates for both experienced and novice investigators the nature, culture, and potentiality of adult stem cells, but also enhances productive exploration of their rapidly growing applications in regenerative medicine.