This book focuses on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of animal origin, including their isolation, characterization, and clinical applications. After briefly discussing the historical development of the field of stem cell research, it describes the basic properties and nature of stem cells particularly in relation to MSCs. In turn, it reviews materials and methods used to isolate MSCs from various sources, culture expansion, characterization and long-term storage. It also explores the therapeutic efficacy, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory, and differentiation properties of MSCs. Importantly, the book discusses the applications of genetic engineering to enhance the efficacy and potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine. The book largely addresses the potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells in therapies for important species of domesticated animals including sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, cats, dogs and horses. Finally, the book presents an abridgement of challenges and future prospects of stem cell research and application in medicine, in general and veterinary sciences, in particular. From the Back Cover This book focuses on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of animal origin, including their isolation, characterization, and clinical applications. After briefly discussing the historical development of the field of stem cell research, it describes the basic properties and nature of stem cells particularly in relation to MSCs. In turn, it reviews materials and methods used to isolate MSCs from various sources, culture expansion, characterization and long-term storage. It also explores the therapeutic efficacy, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory, and differentiation properties of MSCs. Importantly, the book discusses the applications of genetic engineering to enhance the efficacy and potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine. The book largely addresses the potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells in therapies for important species of domesticated animals including sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, cats, dogs and horses. Finally, the book presents an abridgement of challenges and future prospects of stem cell research and application in medicine, in general and veterinary sciences, in particular. About the Author Dr Mudasir Bashir Gugjoo is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Kashmir, India. He has received his PhD in mesenchymal stem cell translational studies from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar. He has received various awards including the Best Faculty Teacher Award. His lab focuses on the isolation and characterisation of mesenchymal stem cells and their therapeutic applications, currently being funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India. He has published more than 60 papers in various reputed peer-reviewed national and international journals, authored or co-authored a number of book chapters and is a newspaper columnist. His work has been cited in various standard books on Veterinary Medicine, Radiology and Tissue Engineering, and in numerous international research papers. He is a member of various scientific societies and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. He is also a referee for a number of peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Cellular Physiology, Cellular Reprogramming and Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, among others. Dr Amar Pal is currently working as a Principal Scientist & Head of the Division of Surgery at Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India. He is also in-charge of the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic and the Anatomy Section at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India. He has done pioneering research work in the areas of veterinary anaesthesia, pain management, urolithiasis, orthopaedic surgery, and stem cell biolog
