Stem Cell Biology and Gene Therapy

STEM CELL BIOLOGY AND GENE THERAPYnnEdited by Peter J. Quesenberry, Gary S. Stein, Bernard Forget, and Sherman WeissmannnAdvances in molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology have ushered in a new era in medical therapeutic research. New insights into the molecular basis of human disease and the role played by biological regulatory mechanisms have precipitated tremendous drug development efforts backed by intensive research into human gene therapy worldwide.nnStem Cell Biology and Gene Therapy is the first book to thoroughly cover major advances in the field and their applications to novel molecular therapies.nnThis self-contained volume integrates biological and clinical components of stem cell biology, examines some of the most difficult aspects of gene therapy, and provides a systematic review of advanced gene modification techniques. Twenty essays by leading researchers address some of the most compelling topics in contemporary medical research, including:n* Fundamental regulatory mechanisms that operate in stem cellsn* Stem cells from a therapeutic perspective, including preparations of stem cells and their therapeutic potential as vehicles for gene therapyn* Delivery systems for therapeutic genes, including an overview of the most promising vectorsn* Clinical applications for gene therapy, covering a broad range of diseases such as hemophilia, cancers, neurological disease, and morennComplete with illustrations and real-world examples of a variety of disorders, Stem Cell Biology and Gene Therapy is essential for researchers in gene therapy and members of the biotechnology industry who are developing human molecular therapies for commercial use. It is also an important reference for molecular biologists, cell biologists, immunologists, molecular geneticists, hematologists, cancer researchers, biochemists, and anyone working in internal medicine.