Main description:

Stem cells appear to be fundamental cellular units associated with the origin of multicellular organisms and have evolved to function in safeguarding the cellular homeostasis in organ t- sues. The characteristics of stem cells that distinguish them from other cells have been the fascinating subjects of stem cell research. The important properties of stem cells, such as ma- tenance of quiescence, self-renewal capacity, and differentiation potential, have propelled this exciting ?eld and presently form a common theme of research in developmental biology and medicine. The derivation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells, the prospective identi?cation of multipotent adult stem cells, and, more recently, the induced pluripotent stem cells (popularly called iPS) are important milestones in the arena of stem cell biology. Complex networks of transcription factors, different signaling molecules, and the interaction of genetic and epi- netic events constantly modulate stem cell behavior to evoke programming and reprogramming processes in normal tissue homeostasis during development. In any given cellular scenario, the regulatory networks can pose considerable complexity and yet exert an orderly control of stem cell differentiation during normal development. An aberration in these ?nely tuned processes during development usually results in a spectrum of diseases such as cancers and neurological disorders. Thisunderscorestheimminentneedforamorecompleteunderstandingofmolecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory circuitries required for stem cell maintenance. Overthepast3-5years,adiversegroupofbenchandphysicianscientistshaveprospectively enhanced our knowledge of stem cell biology. These studies are unveiling many unrecognized or previously unknown fundamentals of developmental biology.

Contents:

Table of Contents:

1. Genetic control of stem cell identity

Lemischka, IR.: Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University

Robson,P.: Stem Cell and Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Genome Institute of Singapore

Shivdasani, RA.: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

2. Transcriptome in ES cells

Young, RA.: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research

Bongso, A.: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University of Singapore

Andrews, PW.: The Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield,

3. Post-transcriptional controls in ES cells

Rajasekhar, VK.: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Galiegue-Zouitina, S.: U.524 Inserm, Institut de Recherches sur le Cancer de Lille

Pritsker, M.:Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University,

4. Signaling networks in ES cells

Wicha, MS.: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan

M. Lako, M.: Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Newcastle

Brandenberger, R.:Geron Corporation

5. Self renewal mechanisms in ES cells

Vemuri, MC.: Invitrogen

Huck-Hui, Ng.: Gene Regulation Laboratory, Genome Institute of Singapore

Chambers, I.: Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh

6. Nuclear reprogramming

Jaenisch, R.: Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research,Cambridge, Massachusetts

Azim Surani, M.: Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute of Cancer and
Developmental Biology, University of Cambridge TennisCourt Road, Cambridge

Eggan, K.: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Department of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University

7. Epigenome in stem cells

Azim Surani, M.: Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute of Cancer and
Developmental Biology, University of Cambridge Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK

Laurie Boyer, L.: Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Young, RA.: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research

8. DNA methylation in Stem Cells

Gaubatz, S.: Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT)

Taga, T.: Laboratory of Animal Molecular Technology, Research and Education Center for Genetic Information, Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Pedersen, RA.: Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research

9. Micro RNAs in stem cells

Hannon, G.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Watson School of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Ruohola-Baker, H:Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle

Belasco, JG.: Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine

10. Differentiation specific gene expression in stem cells

Zhang, SC.: Departments of Anatomy and Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, Waisman Center, Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Program, WiCell Institute,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

Ochiya, T.: National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan and First Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan.

11. Pancreatic lineage-specific expression in stem cells

Butler, PC.: Larry Hillblom Isle