This volume discusses methods for the study of multipotent and pluripotentstem cells of the hair follicle. The stem cells described are involved in boththe growth of the hair follicle and its production of the hair shaft, as wellas the growth of the hair follicle sensory nerve. Multipotent Stem Cells ofthe Hair Follicle: Methods and Protocols also explores very unexpectedresults such as that of the hair follicle-associated-pluripotent (HAP) stemcells, which not only have the capability for regenerating the hair folliclesensory nerve, but also can differentiate ex vivo and in vivo to multiple celltypes not associated with the hair follicle—these include glial cells, motorneurons, and beating cardiac muscle cells. The potential for HAP stem cells forregenerative medicine is also discussed in detail. Written in the highly successful Methods inMolecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to theirrespective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step,readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting andavoiding known pitfalls.Cutting-edgeand thorough, Multipotent Stem Cells of the Hair Follicle: Methods andProtocols is a valuable resource for researchers interested in thisfield.
