Preface -- Contributors -- Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Xeno-Free ConditionsMohan C. Vemuri, Tim Schimmel, Pere Colls, Santiago Munne, and Jacques Cohen -- Feeder-Layer Free Culture System for Human Embryonic Stem CellsMichal Amit -- Digital Imaging of Stem Cells by Electron MicroscopyA. Henry Sathananthan and Stefania A. Nottola -- A Controlled-Cooling Protocol for Cryopreservation of Human and Non-Human Primate Embryonic Stem CellsCarol B. Ware and Szczepan W. Baran -- Cell Surface Markers in Human Embryonic Stem CellsRaj R. Rao, Alison Venable Johnson, and Steven L. Stice -- Generation of a Monoclonal Antibody Library Against Human Embryonic Stem CellsMicha Drukker, Christina Muscat, and Irving L. Weissman -- Analytical Methods for Cancer Stem CellsVinagolu K. Rajasekhar -- Micro RNA Profiling: An Easy and Rapid Method to Screen and Characterize Stem Cell PopulationsUma Lakshmipathy, Brad Love, Christopher Adams, Bhaskar Thyagarajan, and Jonathan D. Chesnut -- Gene Transfer Via Nucleofection Into Adult and Embryonic Stem CellsUma Lakshmipathy, Shannon Buckley, and Catherine Verfaillie -- RNAi Knockdown of Transcription Factor Pu.1 in the Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem CellsGang-Ming Zou, Meredith A. Thompson, and Mervin C. Yoder -- StemBase: A Resource for the Analysis of Stem Cell Gene Expression DataChristopher J. Porter, Gareth A. Palidwor, Reatha Sandie, Paul M. Krzyzanowski, Enrique M. Muro, Carolina Perez-Iratxeta, and Miguel A. Andrade-Navarro -- Isolation of Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord BloodNishanth P. Reddy, Mohan C. Vemuri, and Reddanna Pallu -- Ex Vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Human Cord Blood in Serum-Free ConditionsChao-Ling Yao and Shiaw-Min Hwang -- Hematopoietic Colony-Forming Cell AssaysCarla Pereira, Emer Clarke, and Jackie Damen -- Assays for Alloreactive Responses by PCRPatrick Stordeur -- Immune Properties of Mesenchymal Stem CellsPanagiota A. Sotiropoulou and Michael Papamichail -- Clinical Grade Expansion of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem CellsPanagiota A. Sotiropoulou, Sonia A. Perez, and Michael Papamichail -- Adenoviral Transduction of Mesenchymal Stem CellsPablo Bosch and Steven L. Stice -- Directed Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Dendritic CellsMaxim A. Vodyanik and Igor I. Slukvin -- Insulin-Producing Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells Experimental ConsiderationsEnrique Roche, Roberto Ensenat-Waser, Nestor Vicente-Salar, Alfredo Santana, Martin Zenke, and Juan Antonio Reig -- Efficient Generation of Dopamine Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem CellsChang-Hwan Park and Sang-Hun Lee -- Isolation of Oligodendroglial Cells from Cultured Neural Stem/ProgenitorsFrank Zeigler and Stephen G. Hall -- Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Toward the Chondrogenic LineageWei Seong Toh, Zheng Yang, Boon Chin Heng, and Tong Cao -- Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Directed Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells in Three-Dimensional Hydrogel CultureNathaniel S. Hwang, Shyni Varghese, and Jennifer Elisseeff.

With such benefits as producing cell types to replace worn-out cells and regenerating damaged tissue, stem cells and regenerative medicine is a rapidly emerging field focusing on improving human health. In Stem Cell Assays, an expert team of hands-on researchers contribute step-by-step laboratory protocols aimed at clearly organizing the avalanche of information coming from the stem cell biology field. Following the successful and practical Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each chapter provides concise methods utilizing the most recent developments in embryonic and adult stem cell isolation, characterization, customized differentiation and many more areas, a complete list of the necessary materials, and the valuable Notes section for tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Stem Cell Assays brings the newest developments to the forefront in an invaluable reference volume for both novice and expert scientists alike.