Stem cell biology has drawn tremendous interest in recent years as it promises cures for a variety of incurable diseases. This book deals with the basic and clinical aspects of stem cell research and involves work on the full spectrum of stem cells isolated today. It also covers the conversion of stem cell types into a variety of useful tissues which may be used in the future for transplantation therapy. It is thus aimed at undergraduates, postgraduates, scientists, embryologists, doctors, tissue engineers and anyone who wishes to gain some insight into stem cell biology. This book is important as it is comprehensive and covers all aspects of stem cell biology, from basic research to clinical applications. It will have 33 chapters written by renowned stem cell scientists worldwide. It will be up-to-date and all the chapters include self-explanatory figures, color photographs, graphics and tables. It will be easy to read and give the reader a complete understanding and state of the art of the exciting science and its applications.

Ariff Bongso, PhD, MSc (Canada), DSc (Sing), FRCOG (ad eundem) (UK), DVM, FSLCOG, DSc (hon) (Sri Lanka), is Research Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. For his contributions to human assisted reproduction and stem cell biology, he was conferred the Singapore National Science Technology Award in 1988 and the National Science Award in 2002; the Asian Innovation Award (Gold) from the Far East Economic Review in 2002; the Excellence for Singapore Award in 2003; and the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist Award in 2005. He holds several patents and has over 460 publications and conference presentations. He is on the editorial boards of Stem Cells (USA), Stem Cells Reviews and Reports (USA) and Human Fertility (UK) and is a member of the International Academy of Human Reproduction in Israel. Eng Hin Lee, MD, FRCS (Canada), FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Glas) FAMS (Sing) is currently the Executive Director of the Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). He is a Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Senior Consultant in Orthopaedic Surgery at the National University Hospital, and the KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. He leads the Stem Cell Biology Group in the NUS Tissue Engineering Program. His research on Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering in musculoskeletal tissues has won him numerous international and national awards. He currently sits on the boards of many professional and scientific bodies and is a member of the editorial boards of several medical and scientific journals. He has several patents and has edited and written many books and book chapters as well as over 150 publications in refereed journals and over 250 conference papers.