Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Blastocyst Culture for Deriving Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Propagation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells on Human Feeder Cells -- Derivation and Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Isolation and Characterization of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Routine Culture and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells on Human and Mouse Feeder Cells -- Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Animal Serum- and Feeder Layer-Free Culture Conditions -- Manipulation of Self-Renewal in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Through a Novel Pharmacological GSK-3 Inhibitor -- Derivation of Human Feeders for Prolonged Support of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to the Chick Embryo -- Derivation and Characterization of Neuronal Precursors and Dopaminergic Neurons From Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro -- In Vitro Differentiation of Neural Precursors From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Derivation and Characterization of Hematopoietic Cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Retroviral Transduction of Hematopoietic Progenitors Derived From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Genetic Manipulation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Transfection -- Designing, Testing, and Validating a Microarray for Stem Cell Characterization -- Microarray Approach to Identify the Signaling Network Responsible for Self-Renewal of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing -- Confrontation Cultures of Embryonic Stem Cells With Multicellular Tumor Spheroids to Study Tumor-Induced Angiogenesis -- A Novel Experimental Platform for Investigating Cancer Growth and Anti-Cancer Therapy in a Human Tissue Microenvironment Derived From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- The Analysis of Mitochondria and Mitochondrial DNA in Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Despite political and ethical controversies surrounding the study of human embryonic stem (hES) cells, interest remains high in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal, their differentiation along various lineages, and their potential use in regenerative medicine. In Human Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols, internationally respected researchers describe in detail their most useful techniques for the molecular and cellular manipulation of these intriguing cells. This diverse collection of readily reproducible methods has been optimized for the derivation, characterization, and differentiation of hES cells, with special attention given to regenerative medicine applications. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. A companion CD provides color versions of all illustrations in the book. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Human Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols offers both novice and expert researchers powerful tools essential to understanding the maintenance and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells, as well as their applications in regenerative medicine today.