The human amniotic membrane: a tissue with multifaceted properties and different potential clinical applications

Perinatal Stem Cells, 2nd Edition builds on the first edition to provide an updated tutorial on perinatal stem cells, including stem cells harvested from the amniotic fluid, placenta, maternal blood supply, umbilical cord and Wharton's Jelly. As in the first edition, coverage includes the underlying biology of each of the sources of pregnancy related stem cells, cell culture, and potential therapeutic uses, as well as insights on the impact of these stem cells from obstetricians and gynecologists, cardiologists, hematologists, tissue engineers, and cord blood bankers. Normally discarded as medical waste, perinatal stem cells offer a powerful therapeutic tool box alternative to the controversial embryonic stem cells. Since publication of the first edition, a burgeoning commerical industry has developed around various sources of perinatal cells, and the second edition now includes an overview of this growing industry. With contributions from some of the top academic stem cell laboratories in the United States as well as new chapters from international stem cell scientists, Perinatal Stem Cells presents an update on the cutting-edge research in the field while maintaining its signature clinical focus.