Drawing on the dramatically increasing research on embryonic stem (ES) cell biology and differentiation, Kursad Turksen has completely updated and expanded his highly acclaimed first edition of Embryonic Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols into two volumes. The second volume, Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols: Differentiation Models, Second Edition, covers state-of-the-art methods for deriving many types of differentiating cells from ES cells. A companion first volume, Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols: Isolation and Characterization, Second Edition, focuses on ES cells recently isolated from different nonhuman species, to provide a diverse collection of readily reproducible cellular and molecular protocols for the isolation, maintenance, and characterization of embryonic stem cells. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Authoritative and cutting-edge, the two volumes of Embryonic Stem Cells illuminate for both novices and experts not only our current understanding of the biology of embryonic stem cells and their utility in normal tissue homeostasis and regenerative medicine applications, but also provide detailed accounts of the tools required for successful work in the area.

Isolation and Maintenance.- Neural Stem Sphere Method.- Generation and Characterization of Oligodendrocytes From Lineage-Selectable Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation and Characterization of Neural Cells From Embryonic Stem Cells Using Nestin Enhancer.- Optimized Neuronal Differentiation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells.- Generation of Inner Ear Cell Types From Embryonic Stem Cells.- Derivation of Epidermal Colony-Forming Progenitors From Embryonic Stem Cell Cultures.- Directing Epidermal Fate Selection by a Novel Co-Culture System.- Signaling in Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation.- In Vitro Generation of T Lymphocytes From Embryonic Stem Cells.- The Role of Hex in Hemangioblast and Hematopoietic Development.- Generation of Osteoblasts and Chondrocytes From Embryonic Stem Cells.- Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Osteogenic Cultures.- Generation of Chondrocytes From Embryonic Stem Cells.- Derivation and Characterization of Chondrocytes From Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.-Generation and Characterization of Cardiomyocytes Under Serum-Free Conditions.- Analysis of Arrhythmic Potential of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes.- Derivation and Characterization of Alveolar Epithelial Cells From Murine Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Genetic Manipulation of Embryonic Stem Cells.- Derivation and Characterization of Thyrocyte-Like Cells From Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation and Characterization of Gut-Like Structures From Embryonic Stem Cells.- Formation of Gut-Like Structures In Vitro From Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- In Vitro Derivation and Expansion of Endothelial Cells From Embryonic Stem Cells.- Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Into Endothelial Cells.- Integrins and Vascular Development in Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- TGF-? Signaling in Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells.- Use of Embryonic Stem Cells in Pharmacological and Toxicological Screens.- The Role of the Adapter Protein SHB in Embryonic StemCell Differentiation Into the Pancreatic ?-Cell and Endothelial Lineages.- In Vitro Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Into the Pancreatic Lineage.- Derivation and Characterization of Hepatocytes From Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells to Retinal Cells In Vitro.- Epigenetic Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cells.- Derivation and Characterization of Lentoid Bodies and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells From Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Differentiation of Rhesus Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells in Three-Dimensional Collagen Matrix.