Includes bibliographical references and index.

Organization and good aseptic technique in the human embryonic stem cell laboratory / Minal J. Patel, Emma L. Stephenson and Stephen L. Minger -- Sourcing human embryonic stem cell lines / Glyn Stacey -- Culture of human embryos for stem cell derivation / R. Douglas Powers and Jeannine Witmyer -- Derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines / Stephen Sullivan ... [et al.] -- Standard culture of human embryonic stem cells / Jeremy M. Crook, Rachel Horne and Alan Colman -- Chemically-defined culture of human embryonic stem cells / Julie Hsu Clark and Sheng Ding -- Phenotypic analysis of human embryonic stem cells / Jonathan S. Draper, Cheryle A. Séguin and Peter W. Andrews -- Genetic and epigenetic analysis of human embryonic stem cells / Laurie A. Boyer, Rudolf Jaenisch and Maisam Mitalipova -- In vivo characterization of human embryonic stem cells / Scott A. Noggle, Francesca M. Spagnoli and Ali H. Brivanlou -- In vitro differentiation of human embryonic stem cells / A. Henry Sathananthan and Alan Trounson -- Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into extraembryonic cell types / Cheryle A. Séguin and Jonathan S. Draper -- Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into endoderm / Kenji Osafune ... [et al.] -- Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into mesoderm / Christine Mummery ... [et al.] -- Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into ectoderm / Emily A. Davis ... [et al.] -- Gene targeting in human embryonic stem cells : knock out and knock in by homologous recombination / Thomas P. Zwaka -- RNA interference in human embryonic stem cells / M. William Lensch, Asmin Tulpule and Holm Zaehres -- Generation of human gene reporters using bacterial artificial chromosome recombineering / Andrew J. Washkowitz and David A. Shaywitz.

With this valuable practical guide, three members of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have compiled and edited the definite handbook for the exciting new field of human embryonic stem cell research. The editors have gathered protocols from scientists with extensive reputation and expertise, describing and comparing currently used techniques for the culture of human stem cells and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches. Human Embryonic Stem Cells: The Practical Handbook contains the first centralised collection of methods used in human embryonic stem cell biology. The book covers the derivation of human stem cell lines, the obtaining of cells from human stem cell banks, the culturing and characterisation of the cells, and the differentiation of the cells in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, almost all of these protocols can also be used for analyzing and manipulating induced pluripotency iPS stem cells. This allows an even greater number of opportunities for those interested in pursuing work in pluripotent stem cells, disease modelling, and other aspects of basic regenerative medicine research. The novel and useful focus of this book sets it apart from other available books. It compares and evaluates the protocols used in leading laboratories working on human embryonic stem cells. It is centred solely on practical protocols for human (not mouse) embryonic stem cell research. It includes extensive troubleshooting sections. It addresses the different proclivities and behaviours of individual human embryonic cell lines. It contains techniques currently known only to a small number of specialised laboratories worldwide. This handbook represents an essential source of up-to-date practical information for all cell and developmental biologists working with human embryonic stem cells or wishing to enter the field. It is also essential reading for clinical researchers in areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases. Praise