Stem cells have been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. Their unique potential to self-renew and differentiate has turned them into an attractive model for the study of basic biological questions such as cell division, replication, transcription, cell fate decisions, and more. With embryonic stem (ES) cells that can generate each cell type in the mammalian body and adult stem cells that are able to give rise to the cells within a given lineage, basic questions at different developmental stages can be addressed. Importantly, both adult and embryonic stem cells provide an excellent tool for cell therapy, making stem cell research ever more pertinent to regenerative medicine. As the title The Cell Biology of Stem Cells suggests, our book deals with multiple aspects of stem cell biology, ranging from their basic molecular characteristics to the in vivo stem cell trafficking of adult stem cells and the adult stem-cell niche, and ends with a visit to regeneration and cell fate reprogramming. In the first chapter, ¿Early embryonic cell fate decisions in the mouse¿, Amy Ralson and Yojiro Yamanaka describe the mechanisms that support early developmental decisions in the mouse pre-implantation embryo and the current understanding of the source of the most immature stem cell types, which includes ES cells, trophoblast stem (TS) cells and extraembryonic endoderm stem (XEN) cells.

Eran Mes horer, PhD, is studying chromatin plasticity in embryonic and neuronal stem cells at the Department of Genetics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received his PhD in Molecular Neuroscience from the Hebrew University and conducted his post¿doctoral studies at the National Cancer Institute, NIH. His lab focuses on understanding pluripotency, differentiation and reprogramming from a chromatin perspective, taking both genome¿wide and single cell approaches. He is a member of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and holds the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Senior Lectureship in Life Sciences.
Kathrin Plath, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry at the University of California Los Angeles since 2004. After she received her PhD from the Humboldt University at Berlin in Germany, she was at the University of California San Francisco and the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, MA for her postdoctoral studies. Dr. Plath¿s main research interest is to understand how developmental cues induce changes in chromatin structure at the molecular level, and how these changes regulate cell fate decisions and gene expression in mammalian development. She is a member of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and of the editorial board of several stem cell journals.

1. Early Embryonic Cell Fate Decisions in the Mouse
Yojiro Yamanaka and Amy Ralston
Abstract
Introduction
Lineage Establishment and the Pre?stem Cell Program: Formation of the Blastocyst
Lineage Maintenance and the Stem Cell Program: Beyond the Blastocyst
The Second Lineage Decision: Subdividing the ICM
Cell Signaling Regulates PE/EPI Specification
Establishment and Modulation of Pluripotency in the EPI Lineage
Conclusion
2. Nuclear Architecture in Stem Cells
Kelly J. Morris, Mita Chotalia and Ana Pombo
Abstract
Introduction
Functional Compartmentalization of the ES Cell Nucleus
Stem Cell Features of Other Nucleoplasmic Subcompartments
Chromatin Features Characteristic of ES Cell Nuclei
Conclusion
3. Epigenetic Regulation of Pluripotency
Eleni M. Tomazou and Alexander Meissner
Abstract
Introduction
Epigenetic Modifications
The Epigenome of ES Cells
Conclusion
4. Autosomal Lyonization of Replication Domains During Early Mammalian Development
Ichiro Hiratani and David M. Gilbert
Abstract
Introduction
Replication Timing Program: An Elusive Measure of Genome Organization
An Evolutionarily Conserved Epigenetic Fingerprint
Replication Timing as a Quantitative Index of 3?Dimensional Genome Organization
Replication Timing Reveals An Epigenetic Transition: Autosomal Lyonization at the Epiblast Stage
Replication Timing and Cellular Reprogramming: Further Support for Autosomal Lyonization
Maintenance and Alteration of Replication Timing Program and Its Potential Roles
Conclusion
5. PRESERVATION OF GENOMIC INTEGRITY IN MOUSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
Peter J. Stambrook and Elisia D. Tichy
Abstract
Introduction and Historical Perspective
Mutation Frequencies in Somatic Cells
Protection of the Mouse ES Cell Genome
Conclusion
6. Transcriptional Regulation in Embryonic Stem Cells
Jian?Chien Dominic Heng and Huck?Hui Ng
Abstract
Introduction
Embryonic Stem Cells as a Model to Study Transcriptional Regulation
Transcription Factors Governing ESC Pluripotency
TranscriptionalRegulatory Network
Technologies for Dissecting the Transcriptional Regulatory Network
The Core Transcriptional Regulatory Network: Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog
Expanded Transcriptional Regulatory Network
Enhanceosomes: Transcription Factor Complex
Integration of Signaling Pathways to Transcriptional Network
Interface Between Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation
Conclusion
7. ALTERNATIVE SPLICING IN STEM CELL SELF?RENEWAL AND DIFERENTIATION
David A. Nelles and Gene W. Yeo
Abstract
Introduction
Introduction to Alternative Splicing
Alternative Splicing of Genes Implicated in Stemness and Differentiation
Genome?Wide Methods to Identify and Detect Alternative Splicing Events
Regulation of Alternative Splicing by RNA Binding Proteins
Conclusion and Perspectives
8. MicroRNA Regulation of Embryonic Stem Cell Self?Renewal and Differentiation
Collin Melton and Robert Blelloch
Abstract
Introduction: The Self?Renewal Program
Embryonic Stem Cells
miRNA Biogenesis and Function
ESCC miRNAs Promote Self?Renewal
miRNAs Induced during ESC Differentiation Suppress the Self?Renewal Program
Regulatory Networks Controlling miRNA Expression
miRNAs Can Promote or Inhibit Dedifferentiation to iPS Cells
miRNAs in Somatic Stem Cells
miRNAs in Cancer Cells
Conclusion
9. TELOMERES AND TELOMERASE IN ADULT STEM CELLS and PLURIPOTENT EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
Rosa M. Marión and Maria A. Blasco
Abstract
Introduction
Regulation of Telomeres and Telomerase
Role of Telomeres and Telomerase in Adult SC Compartments
Telomeres and Telomerase Regulation During Reprogramming by SCNT
Telomeres and Telomerase Regulation During iPS Cell Generation
Telomerase Activation is Essential for the ¿Good¿ Quality of the Resulting iPS Cells
Regulation of Telomere Reprogramming
Conclusion
10. X Chromosome Inactivation and Embryonic Stem Cells
Tahsin Stefan Barakat and Joost Gribnau
Abstract
Introduction
Cis Acting Factors in XCI
Trans Acting Factors in XCI
Counting and Choice
Silencing and Maintenance of