In this volume, some of the leading authorities present their exploration of applications of stem cell therapy to the treatment of major causes of blindness, including degenerative diseases and glaucoma. The diagnostic approach to patients, general concepts of cell-based therapy, immunological considerations, approaches to cell delivery (including engineered scaffolds), combined cell and gene therapy, nanomedicine applications to cell therapy and regulatory issues pertaining to manufacture and production are all considered in detail. The book serves as an excellent introduction to a field that is now entering early-stage clinical trials and promises to operate at the leading edge of regenerative medicine. Retina specialists, general ophthalmologists as well as researchers will find here a wealth of information on the translational aspects of cell-based therapies. Further, business executives and students interested in understanding the potential applications of stem cell therapy to retinal degenerative disease and glaucoma will also find this book informative reading.

This book discusses why specific diseases are being targeted for cell-based retinal therapy, what evidence exists that justifies optimism for this approach, and what challenges must be managed in order to bring this technology from the laboratory into routine clinical practice. There are a number of unanswered questions (e.g., surgical approach to cell delivery, management of immune response, optimum cell type to transplant) that very likely are not going to be answered until human trials are undertaken, but there is a certain amount of “de-risking” that can be done with preclinical experimentation. This book is essential reading for scientists, clinicians, and advanced students in stem cell research, cell biology, and ophthalmology.

This book reviews the state-of-the-art in stem-cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, and highlights advances in both animal models and clinical trials. It comprehensively discusses most neurodegenerative diseases, including such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington’s diseases, amyotrophic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and retinal degeneration, in which stem cells could potentially be used for therapy in the future. It also addresses the challenges and problems relating to the translation of stem-cell-based therapies into treatments. As such, the book will appeal to research scientists, physicians, graduate students, and medical professionals in the field of stem cells, neuroscience, neurology, neurorestoratology and major neurological disorders.

This book familiarizes the reader with the current landscape of cell-based therapies for the treatment of retinal disease, including diseases that affect the choriocapillaris, retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptors, and retinal ganglion cells. Instead of utilizing a disease-centric approach to the topic, this book—edited by two world-renowned stem cell scientists—focuses on strategies for developing and transplanting the cells. This includes the creation of replacement cells, cell-based neuroprotection, and in vitro disease modeling and testing. The final chapters briefly review parallel approaches that do not directly utilize cellular transplantation. The use of cellular transplantation to treat retinal disease has recently become a viable and exciting therapeutic approach. The visibility of the retina and its laminar cellular architecture render it an ideal organ for the development of surgically delivered cellular therapies. Having an in-depth understanding of the current state of cell therapy for the eye is an essential first step toward utilizing similar approaches in other organs. Ophthalmologists, translational clinician-scientists, stem cell scientists, and researchers interested in eye disease will find Cellular Therapies for Retinal Disease: A Strategic Approach essential reading and it is also suitable for workshops or courses at the undergraduate or Ph.D. level.

The blinding diseases of inherited retinal degenerations have no treatments, and age-related macular degeneration has no cures, despite the fact that it is an epidemic among the elderly, with 1 in 3-4 affected by the age of 70. The RD Symposium will focus on the exciting new developments aimed at understanding these diseases and providing therapies for them. Since most major scientists in the field of retinal degenerations attend the biennial RD Symposia, they are known by most as the “best” and “most important” meetings in the field. The volume will present representative state-of-the-art research in almost all areas of retinal degenerations, ranging from cytopathologic, physiologic, diagnostic and clinical aspects; animal models; mechanisms of cell death; candidate genes, cloning, mapping and other aspects of molecular genetics; and developing potential therapeutic measures such as gene therapy and neuroprotective agents for potential pharmaceutical therapy. While advances in these areas of retinal degenerations will be described, there will be many new topics that either were in their infancy or did not exist at the time of the last RD Symposium, RD2014. These include the role of inflammation and immunity, as well as other basic mechanisms, in age-related macular degeneration, several new aspects of gene therapy, and revolutionary new imaging and functional testing that will have a huge impact on the diagnosis and following the course of retinal degenerations, as well as to provide new quantitative endpoints for clinical trials. The retina is an approachable part of the central nervous system (CNS), and there is a major interest in neuroprotective and gene therapy for CNS diseases and neurodegenerations, in general. It should be noted that with successful and exciting initial clinical trials in neuroprotective and gene therapy, including the restoration of sight in blind children, the retinal degeneration therapies are leading the way towards new therapeutic measures for neurodegenerations of the CNS. Many of the successes recently reported in these areas of retinal degeneration sprang from collaborations established at previous RD Symposia, and many of those will be reported at the RD2018 meeting and included in the proposed volume. We anticipate the excitement of those working in the field and those afflicted with retinal degenerations will be reflected in the volume.

This book looks at where stem cell technology is presently and how it is instrumental in advancing the field of disease modeling and cell transplantation. By focusing on major human disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disorders, the book summarizes the major findings in the field of human stem cells and dissect the current limitations on our understanding of stem cells biology. The chapters focus on the genetics, genomics, epigenetics and physiology of stem cells models, together with technological advances on molecular biology such as CRISPR/Cas9 or epigenetic editing, that will be instrumental in the future of human disease modeling and treatment. In base of the limitations of current disease models and in front of the unmet necessity of finding therapeutical interventions for human disorders, the availability of stem cell technology has opened new doors for several fields. The unlimited self-renewal capacity and more extensive differentiation potential of stem cells offers a theoretically inexhaustible and replenishable source of any cell subtype. Since Professor Shinya Yamanaka described it, 10 years ago in his seminal paper, that somatic cells could be reprogrammed to inducible stem cells (iPSC) just by expressing four transcription factors, the field of has exploded, especially its applications in biomedical research.

Retinal Diseases—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2012 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Retinal Diseases. The editors have built Retinal Diseases—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2012 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Retinal Diseases in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Retinal Diseases—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2012 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Technologies in Cell Culture - A Journey From Basics to Advanced Applications is a comprehensive book that offers a broad overview of the subject, encompassing fundamental concepts, modern techniques, and their diverse applications across various fields. Comprising eleven chapters authored by leading international experts in their respective fields, this book adeptly navigates the complexities of cell culture. It provides valuable insights into bioprocessing, cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and more. The book explores innovative strategies for restoring eyesight in individuals with age-related macular degeneration through retinal pigment epithelium monolayers derived from autologous adipose tissue stem cells. We discover novel approaches for utilizing in vitro techniques to evaluate new medications targeting crucial molecular pathways. A deeper comprehension of the tumor microenvironment can be achieved by conducting coculture studies on cancer cells and adipocytes. The readers will gain insight into organoid intelligence, a culmination of advancements in stem cell technologies, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence. For anyone intrigued by unraveling the mysteries of cellular life, Technologies in Cell Culture - A Journey From Basics to Advanced Applications is an indispensable resource, catering to both novice scientists and seasoned researchers seeking to expand their knowledge. Join us on this journey as we explore the myriad ways in which cell culture technology can impact biomedicine and beyond.

Cell and Gene Therapies for Neurologic Diseases, Volume 205 comprehensively covers the scientific background, translational efforts, clinical developments and registered biologics that have entered into clinical practice. Coverage includes types of therapies available and in development, and best practice uses for a variety of neurological disorders including Parkinson's, Huntington's, ALS, stroke, spinal cord RP, demyelination, and epilepsy. As the emergence of gene and cellular therapeutics has changed the clinical landscape for a variety of disorders, and is now ready to do so for neurological diseases, these therapeutic modalities currently complement, and may in time, supplant small molecule drugs. - Summarizes advances in cell and gene therapy for neurological diseases - Describes the therapies available and in development - Includes surgical, ethical, and manufacturing considerations - Identifies best practices for specific neurological diseases - Covers Huntington's, Parkinson's, ALS, Stroke, Demyelination, epilepsy, and more

The value of Age-Related Macular Degeneration has stood the test of time, but progress in both basic and clinical ophthalmology has been relentless, mandating the need for an updated book. This second edition focuses on the pathophysiology and the epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the clinical features and management of dry an