Bøker av SABINE WISLET

Tissue-specific stem cells have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into several types of functional cells that replenish lost cells throughout an organism?s lifetime. Studies on stem cells from diverse systems have shown that stem cell function is controlled by extracellular cues from the niche and by intrinsic genetic programs within the stem cell. The objectives of this book would be to review the molecular mechanisms that mediate the balanced response of stem cells to the needs of the organisms. Likewise, niches have also been linked to pathologies, by imposing aberrant function on stem cells or other targets. Therefore, the second objective of this book would be to highligh the molecular dysregulation of niche biology leading to the disease. The third objective would be to review the therapeutical targets described within stem cell niches.

During the last decades, numerous studies about stem cells and regenerative medicine highlighted new therapeutic approaches to treat several neurological disorders. It is noteworthy that the current optimism over potential stem cell therapies is driven by new understandings of stem cell biology leading to specific cell fate decision. The objectives of this book were: 1) to offer a general understanding of signaling pathways underlying the capacity of differentiation of several types of stem cells into neurons, during the development; 2) to understand how those pathways are altered in pathological conditions; 3) to describe advances in cellular therapy that could be use to restore central nervous system dysfunction in pathological conditions.

Even if the origins of regenerative medicine can be found in Greek mythology, as attested by the story of Prometheus, the Greek god whose immortal liver was feasted on day after day by Zeus' eagle; many challenges persist in order to successfully regenerate lost cells, tissues or organs and rebuild all connections and functions. In this book, we will cover a few aspects of regenerative medicine highlighting major advances and remaining challenges in cellular therapy and tissue/organ engineering.