Stem cell research has the potential to affect the lives of millions of people around the world. This research is now regularly front-page news, and realizing the promise of mesenchymal stem cells for yielding new medical therapies will require us to grapple with more than just scientific uncertainties. "Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Heart - From Bench to Bedside" presents the cytobiological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells from the isolation, culture, transmembrane ion currents, migration and differentiation in vitro to the repairing of injured myocardium and tissue reconstruction in vivo, including the results of basic research and the real possibility for treatments and ultimately for cures for cardiac diseases for which adequate therapies do not exist. The book is intended for clinical stem cell researchers in cardiovasology, hematology, cytobiology, molecular biology, cell and tissue engineering, and other related fields.

Jian-an Wang, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiology at Zhejiang University and investigator at Loma Linda University, Southern California, has broad expertise in the molecular and cellular biological processes underlying cardiovascular disease. He has won the Chinese Medical Science and Technology Medal of Honor.

Autorentext

Jian-an Wang, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiology at Zhejiang University and investigator at Loma Linda University, U.S., has broad expertise in the molecular and cellular biological processes underlying cardiovascular disease. He has won the Chinese Medical Science and Technology Medal of Honor. He performs cardiac interventional treatment on more than 1000 cases per year, doing percutaneous coronary angiography (PTCA), percutaneous coronary angioplasty, radiofrequency catheterization ablation (RFCA), percutaneous closure of a residual ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the Amplatzer occluder, etc. He is also the chief editor of Electrocardiology Journal, Chinese editor of Circulation, European Heart Journal and American Heart Association Journals Best Selection, editor of Chinese Emergency Journal, Chinese Practical Medicine Journal, and Chinese Modern Clinical Medicine Journal.

Inhalt
Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.- In Vitro Culture, Cryopreservation and refrigeration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.- Identification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.- Cytobiological Characteristics of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Proliferation, Apoptosis and Immunity.- Ion Channels and Electrical Coupling with Cardiomyocytes.- Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in vitro.- Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Research.- Vector of Genetic Engineering Mesenchymal Stem Cells.- Current Status of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Clinical Therapies.- Ethical and Policy Issues Raised by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Application.- Prospect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.