Since different types of stem cells for therapeutic applications have recently been proposed, this timely volume explores various sources of stem cells for tissue and organ regeneration and discusses their advantages and limitations. Also discussed are pros and cons for using embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and adult stem cells isolated from postnatal tissues. Different types of adult stem cells for therapeutic applications are also reviewed, including hematopoietic stem cells, epidermal stem cells, endothelial progenitors, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and very small embryonic-like stem cells. This book also addresses paracrine effects of stem cells in regenerative medicine that are mediated by extracellular microvesicles and soluble secretome. Finally, potential applications of stem cells in cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, immunotherapy, and aging are presented. This is an ideal book for students and researchers working in the stem cell research field.

Mariusz Z. Ratajczak , M.D., Ph.D, D.Sci d.hc is since 2001 the Henry and Stella Hoenig Endowed Chair in Cancer Biology and the Director of the Developmental Biology Research Program at the University of Louisville JGBCC. Dr. Ratajczak earned his M.D. at the Pomeranian Medical University (1981) and his Ph.D. and D.Sci at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, Poland and completed fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA. He is an internationally known investigator in the field of adult stem cell biology, molecular mechanism that regulate stem cell trafficking and biological effect of extracellular microvesciles. Among Dr. Ratajczak's prestigious awards are the 2014 Life achievement - Karl Landsteiner Award from the German Society of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematotherapy, the 2008 Cancer Researcher of the Year award, the 2006 Award in Medicine and Biology from the Foundation for Polish Sciences, and the 2002 Chad Kopple Spirit Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Dr. Ratajczak was honored with the degree, doctoris honoris causa , from the Medical University of Silesia. He is a visiting Professor at Kansai University in Osaka, Japan, Fudan University in China and Honorary Professor at Xiamen University, China. He has published more than 500 peer-reviewed publications and is a frequent speaker at conferences worldwide. His work is supported by NIH grants.