Main description:

How stem cells behave is very much a factor of their local microenvironment, also known as the stem cell niche. Physical, chemical, or electrical signals from the neighboring cells or biochemical signals from distant cells are crucial in the cell fate decision process. A major challenge of tissue engineering is to mimic the natural cell environment by designing very sophisticated scaffolds able not only to mechanically support cells, but also to release signals biologically relevant for governing stem cell fate. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that abnormal interaction of stem cells with their niche is responsible for altered cell function leading to malignant transformation. This book discusses some of the recent advances in stem cell research that may help understanding the properties of the niche that govern stem cell fate. Technical topics discussed include: Stem cell biology; Cancer stem cells; Stem cell interactions with biomaterials; Engineering the stem cell microenvironment; Stem cells in tissue regeneration and repair.The Disputationes Workshop series is an international initiative aimed at disseminating stem cell related cutting edge knowledge among scientists, healthcare workers, students and policy makers. This book emerges as a result of the scientific contributions presented and discussed during the fifth Disputationes Workshop held in Aalborg (Denmark) in April 2014. The stem cell microenvironment and its role in regenerative medicine and cancer pathogenesis is ideal for academic staff and master/research students in biomedical and health sciences.

Contents:

Preface1. Selective expansion of limbal epithelial stem cells in culture using hypoxia2. Mesenchymal stem cells and pathotropism: Regenerative potential and safety concerns3. Prospective technologies for cardiac repair4. Does inter-individual heterogeneity in the normal breast corrupt cancer stem cell and/or cancer-specific signaling characterization?5. The role of physical microenvironmental cues on myogenesis: Implications for tissue engineering of skeletal muscle6. Effect of bioactive growth surfaces on human mesenchymal stem cells: a pilot biomarker study to assess growth and differentiation7. Embryonic stem cell markers in cancer: cripto-1 expression in glioblastoma8. Reinforced and composite collagen-based scaffolds for high risk donor cornea transplantation9. Molecular mechanisms of smooth muscle cell differentiation from adipose derived stem cells