Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook

With this valuable practical guide, three members of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have compiled and edited the definite handbook for the exciting new field of human embryonic stem cell research. The editors have gathered protocols from scientists with extensive reputation and expertise, describing and comparing currently used techniques for the culture of human stem cells and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook contains the first centralised collection of methods used in human embryonic stem cell biology. The book covers the derivation of human stem cell lines, the obtaining of cells from human stem cell banks, the culturing and characterisation of the cells, and the differentiation of the cells in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, almost all of these protocols can also be used for analyzing and manipulating induced pluripotency iPS stem cells. This allows an even greater number of opportunities for those interested in purusing work in pluripotent stem cells, disease modelling, and other aspects of basic regenerative medicine research.

The novel and useful focus of this book sets it apart from other available books:

• Compares and evaluates the protocols used in leading laboratories working on human embryonic stem cells
• Centred solely on practical protocols for human (not mouse) embryonic stem cell research
• Includes extensive troubleshooting sections
• Addresses the different proclivities and behaviours of individual human embryonic cell lines
• Contains techniques currently known only to a small number of specialised laboratories worldwide

This handbook represents an essential source of up-to-date practical information for all cell and developmental biologists working with human embryonic stem cells or wishing to enter the field. It is also essential reading for clinical researchers in areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases.

Praise from the reviews:

"...a highly readable and useful book… A notable feature of the book is its air of openness and honesty… This book… will help many to navigate the uncharted waters of human embryonic stem cell biology." BRITISH SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY

"... the imaginative solutions in this book can inspire us to get past our most frustrating limitations." CELL STEM CELL

"... the richness in the details of each protocol presented will certainly encourage more scientists to begin studies of Human pluripotent stem cells..."  REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

"In this fast-moving field, this [handbook] will help drive advances of more and more researchers."  DIFFERENTIATION

"...a valuable resource for seasoned and novice researchers... an excellent addition to the reference collection of any medical library or research laboratory." THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Since their isolation in 1998, human embryonic stem (ES) cells have been used as a powerful experimental model for studying the mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation in humans. However, the protocols by which these cells are grown still differ considerably from laboratory to laboratory and standardisation is needed in this young area of research.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook contains all basic methods for sourcing, deriving, culturing, and manipulating human ES cells. The editors have gathered the leading scientists in the field to describe the protocols that they have carried out and tested in their own labs.

The book

• Contains practical information for newcomers to the field: from how to source human ES cells from international cell banks to organizing the laboratory to accommodate work with these cells.

• Provides protocols for routine culture as well as specialized protocols for directing differentiation into specific cell lineages.

• Addresses the different proclivities and behaviours of individual human ES cell lines: authors state which lines they tried their protocols on and, more importantly, which lines worked best.

• Includes troubleshooting sections that address common problems and offer advice on how these can be overcome.

• Follows a simple, concise, and consistent structure: background material and hypothesizing are kept to a minimum to insure clarity and usability at the bench.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook is the essential source of up-to-date, practical information for all researchers and clinicians working with human embryonic stem cells.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Bruce A. Fenderson, PhD(Thomas Jefferson University)
Description:Stem cells adapted to growth in vitro provide a model system for understanding mechanisms of pluripotency, lineage formation, and differentiation. Stem cells may someday provide tailor-made replacement tissues for patients with life-threatening chronic diseases. This practical handbook describes laboratory protocols for isolating, characterizing, and manipulating human embryonic stem (ES) cells. It is worth emphasizing that all of the chapters focus on protocols for studying human ES cells. The book includes 15 chapters on topics ranging from chemically-defined culture of human embryonic stem cells and genetic and epigenetic analysis of human embryonic stem cells to directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into mesoderm. The primary focus is on cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
Purpose:According to the editors, the aim of this book is to disseminate standard protocols that will help researchers compare data and validate results. The authors and the editors wanted to create a laboratory handbook that was straightforward, filled with proven-reliable methods, and in a format that would be attractive to both experts and novices.
Audience:This practical handbook is written for basic science and clinical researchers interested in stem cell biology, as well as those interested broadly in developmental biology. Biomedical scientists and clinicians interested in reproductive biology, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine will also appreciate the wealth of information presented in this book.
Features:Each chapter begins with a helpful introduction, an overview of specific protocols, tables for listing the key materials, and easy-to-read, double-spaced protocols for studying human ES cells. Most chapters conclude with a section on troubleshooting that highlights problems that may be encountered in the laboratory. For example, you may ask: "My human ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes do not reattach and die after dissociation. What can I do?" These conversations with the authors provide important tips for success in the laboratory. Figures that illustrate expected results are presented in black and white for the most part, although a few are reproduced in color. The authors are experts in this fast-moving field. The editors direct the reader to ancillary materials posted on the publisher's web site, and they provide links to important information regarding the ethical, legal, and social implications of work with human ES cells. The foreword is written by Davor Solter, one of the first to appreciate the importance (and fascination) of pluripotent stem cells in a plastic dish, bathed in salt water and fetal bovine serum.
Assessment:This is a very helpful set of protocols. They are easy to follow and essential to research in this field. The authors explain, in step-by-step fashion, how to isolate, characterize, and manipulate human ES cells. Research in this field is evolving rapidly, and so these protocols, particularly those related to stem cell differentiation, will change over time. Nonetheless, the authors define straightforward methods that are reliable given current knowledge. Because many the chapters are organized around questions (e.g., making hematopoietic cells from human ES cells), the chapters provide a stimulating overview of current research. One minor criticism is that many of the photomicrographs are poorly reproduced. This is unfortunate because cell morphology provides critical information regarding the developmental status of stem cells in culture. Overall, this is a carefully edited laboratory handbook that will be a welcome resource for research scientists studying the biology and clinical applications of human ES cells.

Stephen Sullivan: Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland 

Kevin Eggan: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

Chad A. Cowan: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA