Isolation, Characterization and Utilization of CNS Stem Cells

Alexander Kolchinsky

This is a collection of presentations at a conference held in September 1995 written by leading researchers in the field. The first chapter outlines the concept of hematopoietic stem cells and offers useful analogies. Six chapters describe animal and clinical models that are being used to isolate pluripotent nondifferentiated cells that possess proliferative potential, the criteria for their identification, and experimental procedures for their maintenance in vitro. One chapter presents a theory of CNS origin. Two chapters address the clinically important issue of the transplantation of proliferating cells into mature CNS. These are especially thoughtful from the clinical viewpoint. In particular, potential treatments based on the use of stem cells from CNS are discussed in detail. One chapter on the molecular biology of a transcription factor looks foreign in the book; another is a summary of research activities of one group with no illustrations. The purpose is to address various issues of stem cell biology. This is one of the most intriguing fields of neuroscience, attracting the attention of basic and clinical researchers. Although the authors do not indicate the audience, because of its poor structure, the book is accessible primarily to neuroscientists working the field of neural development, regeneration, and grafting. Most chapters are very well written and illustrated by experimental data, including high-quality color microphotographs. However, no editorial work is apparent, the book has no internal structure, the chapters do not cross-reference, the format of chapters is not uniform, and there is no list of authors and one cannot find their affiliations. Eventhe definitions of important terms such as stem cells, precursors, and progenitors are hidden in the last chapter. All these drawbacks narrow the potential audience to researchers closely familiar with the field. The book contains valuable reviews and original experimental data for advanced readers involved in stem cell research, but it cannot be used as an introductory text.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Alexander Kolchinsky, PhD(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This is a collection of presentations at a conference held in September 1995 written by leading researchers in the field. The first chapter outlines the concept of hematopoietic stem cells and offers useful analogies. Six chapters describe animal and clinical models that are being used to isolate pluripotent nondifferentiated cells that possess proliferative potential, the criteria for their identification, and experimental procedures for their maintenance in vitro. One chapter presents a theory of CNS origin. Two chapters address the clinically important issue of the transplantation of proliferating cells into mature CNS. These are especially thoughtful from the clinical viewpoint. In particular, potential treatments based on the use of stem cells from CNS are discussed in detail. One chapter on the molecular biology of a transcription factor looks foreign in the book; another is a summary of research activities of one group with no illustrations.
Purpose: The purpose is to address various issues of stem cell biology.
Audience: This is one of the most intriguing fields of neuroscience, attracting the attention of basic and clinical researchers. Although the authors do not indicate the audience, because of its poor structure, the book is accessible primarily to neuroscientists working the field of neural development, regeneration, and grafting.
Features: Most chapters are very well written and illustrated by experimental data, including high-quality color microphotographs. However, no editorial work is apparent, the book has no internal structure, the chapters do not cross-reference, the format of chapters is not uniform, and there is no list of authors and one cannot find their affiliations. Even the definitions of important terms such as stem cells, precursors, and progenitors are hidden in the last chapter. All these drawbacks narrow the potential audience to researchers closely familiar with the field.
Assessment: The book contains valuable reviews and original experimental data for advanced readers involved in stem cell research, but it cannot be used as an introductory text.

3 Stars from Doody