Recently, stem cells have been drawing increasing interest in basic and translational research that aims to understand stem cell biology and generate new therapies for various disorders. Many stem cells can be cultured in 2D relatively easily using tissue culture plastic. However, many of these cultures do not represent the natural conditions of stem cells in the body. In the body, microenvironments include numerous supporting cells and molecules. Therefore, researchers and clinicians have sought ideal stem cell preparations for basic research and clinical applications, which may be attainable through 3D culture of stem cells. The 3D cultures mimic the conditions of the natural environment of stem cells better, as cells in 3D cultures exhibit many unique and desirable characteristics that could be beneficial for therapeutic interventions. 3D stem cell cultures may employ supporting structures, such as various matrices or scaffolds, in addition to stem cells, to support complex structures. This book brings together recent research on 3D cultures of various stem cells to increase the basic understanding of stem cell culture techniques and also to highlight stem cell preparations for possible novel therapeutic applications.

Stem cells hold great promise for cell therapy, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. This book highlights the potency of stem cells, their property of self-renewal and their ability to differentiate into different cell lineages. It further describes the different markers to identify stem cells, sources, methods of isolation, culture including 2D, 3D and beyond and their cryopreservation. This is among the first books to discuss glycosylation and sialylation in stem cells. Chapters describe application of stem cells in regenerative medicine and therapy, and highlight their application in cancer therapy and spinal cord injury. The book talks about the important patents on stem cells. The book also highlights the plant stem cells, discussing their pluoripotent nature, role in organ regeneration after injury, specific stem cell niches, that signals to block differentiation studied in plants shoot, root, and vascular meristems, differentiation of plant stem cell, transcriptional regulation and epigenetic modification of plant stem cells. This book is exciting and cutting edge. It will be of great interest to doctors, students and researchers in the field of regenerative medicine, cancer , biotechnology and plant sciences.

This textbook shall introduce the students to 3D cell culture approaches and applications. An overview on existing techniques and equipment is provided and insight into various aspects and challenges that researchers need to consider and face during culture of 3D cells is given. The reader will learn the importance of physiological cell, tissue and organ models and gains important knowledge on 3D analytics. This textbook deepens selected aspects of the textbook “Cell Culture Technology”, which also is published in this series, while offering extended insight into 3D cell culture. The concept of the textbook encompasses various lectures ranging from basics in cell cultivation, tissue engineering, biomaterials and biocompatibility, in vitro test systems and regenerative medicine. The textbook addresses Master- and PhD students interested and/or working in the field of modern cell culture applications and will support the understanding of the essential strategies in 3D cell culture and waken awareness for the potentials and challenges of this application.

Biology and Engineering of Stem Cell Niches covers a wide spectrum of research and current knowledge on embryonic and adult stem cell niches, focusing on the understanding of stem cell niche molecules and signaling mechanisms, including cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions. The book comprehensively reviews factors regulating stem cell behavior and the corresponding approaches for understanding the subsequent effect of providing the proper matrix molecules, mechanical cues, and/or chemical cues. It encompasses a variety of tools and techniques for developing biomaterials-based methods to model synthetic stem cell niches in vivo, or to enhance and direct stem cell fate in vitro. A final section of the book discusses stem cell niche bioengineering strategies and current advances in each tissue type. Includes the importance of Cell-Cell and Cell Matrix Interactions in each specific tissue and system Authored and edited by authorities in this emerging and multidisciplinary field Includes valuable links to 5-10 minute YouTube© author videos that describe main points

Stem cell science has emerged as a novel discipline in biomedical research over the past decade. With advancements in this field, stem cells have demonstrated versatile applications ranging from basic research to clinical case studies. Recognizing the demand for knowledge in stem cell applications, this book aims to provide comprehensive information on stem cell technology and its application in biosystems. It covers fundamental culture methods, advanced stem cell-based biosystems, and clinical case studies of stem cell therapy. This book is intended for individuals with an interest in stem cell science, offering valuable insights into this rapidly evolving field.

Recent developments in stem cell biology have opened new directions in cell therapy. This book provides the state-of-the-art developments in using biomaterials as artificial niches for engineering stem cells, both for the purpose of better understanding their biology under 3D biomimetic conditions as well as for developing new strategies for efficient long term maintenance and directed differentiation of stem cells into various therapeutic lineages. Animal and human stem cells of both embryonic and adult origin are discussed with applications ranging from nerve regeneration, orthopedics, cardiovascular therapy, blood cell generation and cancer therapy. Both synthetic and natural biomaterials are reviewed with emphasis on how material-stem cell interactions direct specific signaling pathways and ultimately modulate the cell fate. This book is valuable for biomaterial scientists, tissue engineers, clinicians as well as stem cell biologists involved in basic research and applications of adult and embryonic stem cells.

Technology Platforms for 3D Cell Culture: A Users Guide points to the options available to perform 3D culture, shows where such technology is available, explains how it works, and reveals how it can be used by scientists working in their own labs. Offers a comprehensive, focused guide to the current state-of-the-art technologies available for 3D cell culture Features contributions from leading developers and researchers active in 3D cell technology Gives clear instruction and guidance on performing specific 3D culture methods, along with colour illustrations and examples of where such technologies have been successfully applied Includes information on resources and technical support to help initiate the use of 3D culture methods

The book outlines first the importance of Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM), which is a natural surface for most of cells. In the following chapters the influence of biological, chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of surfaces in micro and nano-scale on stem cell behavior are discussed including the mechanotransduction. Biomimetic and bioinspired approaches are highlighted for developing microenvironment of several tissues, and surface engineering applications are discussed in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and different type of biomaterials in various chapters of the book. This book brings together innovative methodologies and strategies adopted in the research and development of Advanced Surfaces in Stem Cell Research. Well-known worldwide researchers deliberate subjects including: Extracellular matrix proteins for stem cell fate The superficial mechanical and physical properties of matrix microenvironment as stem cell fate regulator Effects of mechanotransduction on stem cell behavior Modulation of stem cells behavior through bioactive surfaces Influence of controlled micro and nanoengineered surfaces on stem cell fate Nanostructured polymeric surfaces for stem cells Laser surface modification techniques and stem cells applications Plasma polymer deposition: a versatile tool for stem cell research Application of bioreactor concept and modeling techniques in bone regeneration and augmentation treatments Substrates and surfaces for control of pluripotent stem cell fate and function Application of biopolymer-based, surface modified devices in transplant medicine and tissue engineering Silk as a natural biopolymer for tissue engineering

This volume thoroughly examines breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), from basic definitions to techniques for identifying, isolating, culturing, and targeting BCSCs for therapy; there is additional focus on pre-clinical and clinical results. The text begins with a discussion of breast cancer, focusing especially on the limitations of current therapies in its treatment. The subsequent chapters introduce and compare stem cells and cancer stem cells, describe properties and isolation techniques of BCSCs, and examine BCSC-targeting approaches. The text concludes with a discussion of controversy surrounding the BCSC hypothesis and of future research directions. Breast Cancer Stem Cells & Therapy Resistance, part of the SpringerBriefs in Stem Cells series, provides a succinct yet comprehensive overview of BCSCs for advanced students, graduate students and researchers as well as those working with breast cancer or stem cells in a clinical setting.