The Stem Cell Microenvironment and its Role in Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Pathogenesis

How stem cells behave is very much a factor of their local microenvironment, also known as the stem cell niche. Physical, chemical, or electrical signals from the neighboring cells or biochemical signals from distant cells are crucial in the cell fate decision process. A major challenge of tissue engineering is to mimic the natural cell environment by designing very sophisticated scaffolds able not only to mechanically support cells, but also to release signals biologically relevant for governing stem cell fate. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that abnormal interaction of stem cells with their niche is responsible for altered cell function leading to malignant transformation.

This book discusses some of the recent advances in stem cell research that may help understanding the properties of the niche that govern stem cell fate. Technical topics discussed include:

• Stem cell biology
• Cancer stem cells
• Stem cell interactions with biomaterials
• Engineering the stem cell microenvironment
• Stem cells in tissue regeneration and repair

The Disputationes Workshop series is an international initiative aimed at disseminating stem cell related cutting edge knowledge among scientists, healthcare workers, students and policy makers. This book emerges as a result of the scientific contributions presented and discussed during the fifth Disputationes Workshop held in Aalborg (Denmark) in April 2014. The stem cell microenvironment and its role in regenerative medicine and cancer pathogenesis is ideal for academic staff and master/research students in biomedical and health sciences

Cristian Pablo Pennisi holds a degree in Bioengineering from the National Uiversity of Entre Rios (Argentina) and a M.Sc. in Bioelectronics from the CINVESTAV-IPN (Mexico). In 2008 he earned the Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering at Aalborg University (Denmark), place where he continued as postdoctoral fellow at the Laboratory for Stem Cell Research. Since 2011 he is Associate Professor at the Department of Health Science and Technology. His current research work is within the fields of tissue engineering and biomaterials. His main research focus is on studying the effects of mechanical loading and nanoscale topography on cellular fate. Other research interests are in the fields of cellular electrophysiology and biocompatibility of neural interfaces. He is author of several publications in the area of cellular bioengineering. He has served as reviewer of various peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings in the area of biomedical engineering. Dr. Pennisi is a member of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society and the Danish Stem Cell Society.

Dr. Mayuri Sinha Prasad is a Post-Doctoral fellow at Indiana University, USA. She has done her Ph.D. from Aalborg University, Denmark. Her current research focus encompasses defining Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) cistrome that is unique in normal breast epithelial cells and also investigating molecular signaling networks that regulate Estrogen Receptor function in normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. Her other research interests include cell line based studies for the evaluation of chemosensitivity of human B-cell cancer towards Bendamustine and identification of resistance gene signatures (REGs) as a tool to develop preclinical predictive models. She has also worked extensively on the molecular mechanisms underlying proliferation and differentiation of embryonic and adipose derived stem cells cultured in hypoxia. Dr. Prasad has also co-edited a book titled Innovative Strategies in Tissue Engineering also published by River Publishers in 2015.

Dr. Pranela Rameshwar is a professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She received a B.S. degree in medical microbiology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a Ph.D. in biology from Rutgers University, New Jersey. Dr. Rameshwar performed postdoctoral studies in hematopoiesis at New Jersey Medical School. Thereafter, she became a faculty member in the same department. Dr. Rameshwar's research interest is in the translation of stem cell, including drug delivery with stem cells. Her laboratory also studies breast cancer dormancy with a focus on cancer stem cells; neural regulation of hematopoiesis and the immunology of adult human mesenchymal stem cells. Her research continues to be funded by federal, state, and other agencies. Dr. Rameshwar has trained several doctoral students, including those in the physician scientist track. In addition, Dr. Rameshwar mentors junior faculty members. Dr. Rameshwar has authored over 200 publications, which include original articles, reviews, editorials and book chapters. She has also edited books. She is also involved in teaching. She initiated a certificate program in Stem Cell Biology and directs four graduate level courses in stem cell biology. Dr. Rameshwar is also a university Master Educator. Dr. Rameshwar also serves on several grant review panels both nationally and internationally. She has given numerous invited seminars both nationally and internationally.