This book focuses on practical applications for using adult and embryonic stem cells in the pharmaceutical development process. It emphasizes new technologies to help overcome the bottlenecks in developing stem cells as therapeutic agents. A key reference for professionals working in stem cell science, it presents the general principles and methodologies in stem cell research and covers topics such as derivitization and characterization of stem cells, stem cell culture and maintenance, stem cell engineering, applications of high-throughput screening, and stem cell genetic modification with their use for drug delivery.

Uma Lakshmipathy is a Principal Scientist at Life Technologies. She has a PhD in life sciences, with academic and industry experience in molecular biology and stem cells. Dr. Lakshmipathy holds two patents and has authored over thirty publications.

Jonathan D. Chesnut is an R & D Director at Life Technologies, where he heads the stem cell engineering group. He holds five patents and has authored over twenty publications.

Bhaskar Thyagarajan is a Program Manager at Life Technologies. He has a PhD in pharmacology, with expertise in the areas of molecular biology, DNA recombination, gene and cell therapy, and protein purification. He holds one patent and has authored over twenty publications.