Provides an accessible introduction to a complicated topic

Considers what stem cells are, what scientists do with them, what stem cell therapies are available today, and how they might be used in future

Focuses on the science behind stem cells, rather than issues relating to law and politics

Gives a realistic assessment about the clinical applications of stem cells

Includes a glossary of technical terms

Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series - over five million copies sold worldwide

The topic of stem cells has been very high profile in the media in recent years. There is much public interest in stem cells but also much confusion and misinformation, with some companies already offering 'stem cell products' and bogus 'stem cell therapies'. In this Very Short Introduction, Jonathan Slack introduces stem cells; what they are, what scientists do with them, what stem cell therapies are available today, and how they might be used in future.

Despite important advances, clinical applications of stem cells are still in their infancy. Most real stem cell therapy today is some form of bone marrow transplantation. Slack introduces stem cells by explaining the difference between embryonic stem cells, which exist only in laboratory cultures, and tissue-specific stem cells, which exist in our bodies. Embryonic stem cells can become any cell type in the body, so diseases that may in future be treated by functional cells derived from these sorts of stem cell include diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and spinal trauma. He then goes on to discuss the properties of tissue-specific stem cells and the important technique of bone marrow transplantation. Slack concludes by analysing how medical innovation has occurred in this area in the past, and draws out some of the lessons for the development of new therapies in the future.

Readership: General readers wanting to know more about the nature of stem cells and for students in the life sciences and medicine.