ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors start by setting the scene and explore what unmet medical need is likely to benefit from the use of stem cells. They then look at how investigations utilizing stem cells can shed fresh light on the mechanisms underpinning specific diseases or aid in the process of drug discovery. The authors consider the prospects for stem cell application in regenerative medicine, either through the manipulation of resident stem cells in the patient or by provision of cells or tissues that are developed ex vivo and then introduced into the patient. Historically, disease modeling utilizing a patient's own stem cells has been limited by the scarcity of available patient tissue for research and the inability to grow these cells in long-term in vitro culture. Changing demographics and modern-day environmental and lifestyle impacts are combining to create a massive shortfall in delivery of new treatments, especially for diseases related to aging that require tissue repair.
