Discover how perinatal stem cells may prove to be a more powerful therapeutic tool than embryonic stem cells

Normally discarded as medical waste, perinatal stem cells are an incredible source of stem cells and are gaining phenomenal research attention for their potential to become a more powerful alternative to the controversial embryonic stem cells. In response to this growing field, this book provides a thorough tutorial on the current state of the art in perinatal stem cells.

Presented by a panel of authorities whose expertise reaches from research to hematology to tissue engineering and beyond, this important volume covers all of the sources of stem cells found throughout pregnancy, revealing the underlying biology and potential therapeutic uses of each:

• Post-gestational maternal peripheral blood

• Umbilical cord blood

• Wharton's jelly

• Amniotic fluid

• Amnion lining the amniotic cavity

• Umbilical vein

• Chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells

• Multi-potent cells

• Placenta stem cells

This book is a bountiful source for researchers, graduate students, cell biologists, gene therapists, obstetricians and gynecologists, and professionals engaged in regenerative medicine and developmental biology.

Curtis L. Cetrulo, M.D. has a profound passion for stem cells and pursues this passion with the same excitement and energy that he has brought with him at every stage of his career. Since 1984 until the present, Dr. Cetrulo has been a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is one of the two founding members and is the current President of the International Cord Blood Society (ICBS), a non-profit organization founded in 1995. In 2007, Dr. Cetrulo guest edited an edition of the Journal Stem Cell Reviews that focused on Pregnancy related stem cells. Dr. Cetrulo is currently a medical consultant for Auxocell Laboratories, Inc. a company that focuses on stem cells obtained from the Wharton's Jelly of the human umbilical cord. From 1996 until 2005, Dr. Cetrulo was the medical director of New England Cord Blood Bank, Inc. From 1992- 1994, Dr. Cetrulo was the Chairman of the Obstetrical Quality Assurance Committee at New England Medical Center. In 1992, he was named the Director of Regional Perinatal Program at New England Medical Center and from 1975-1992, Dr. Cetrulo was the Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at St. Margaret's Hospital in Boston. In 1990, Dr. Cetrulo was named the President of Medical Staff at St. Margaret's Hospital. In 1977, Dr. Cetrulo was board certified in Maternal Fetal Medicine. He was the first OB/GYN to be board certified in Maternal Fetal Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Cetrulo completed his Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship at the University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles, California in 1975. He completed his Obstetrics/Gynecology residency program at the University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado in 1973. Dr. Cetrulo graduated from the New Jersey College of Medicine in 1969. He did his undergraduate work at Columbia University (1965) where he was the captain of the 1964 NCAA champion Fencing team.

Kyle J Cetrulo is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Auxocell Laboratories, Inc. Auxocell Laboratories, Inc. is a start up company that focuses on stem cells obtained from the Wharton's Jelly of the human umbilical cord. In 2007, Mr. Cetrulo guest edited an edition of the Journal Stem Cell Reviews that focused on Pregnancy related stem cells. Today, Mr. Cetrulo continues in his capacity as the Director of the International Cord Blood Society as he has since 1998. His duties include fund raising and providing overall direction for the non-profit society. He is also responsible for the development of content for the ICBS website (www.internationalcordblood.org). His past work with the society includes organizing the 6th International Congresses held in 2004 and the 5th International Congress held in 2002. The 6th International Congress had representatives from 23 countries. During his career in the stem cell industry, Mr. Cetrulo opened 11 international markets including Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, UAE and Turkey. Mr. Cetrulo is a graduate of the University of San Francisco where he majored in Communications (1998).

Curtis L. Cetrulo, Jr., M.D.; Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery (Plastic), Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, and Director, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery's Laboratory for Stem Cell-Based Microsurgical Tissue Engineering and Composite Tissue Allograft Design. Dr. Cetrulo's clinical interests include reconstructive microsurgery and digit/hand replantation, reconstructive breast surgery, hand surgery, and pediatric plastic surgery, including cleft lip and palate repair, ear reconstruction, burn scar revision and facial reanimation. Dr. Cetrulo graduated from Stanford University with a degree in English and received his M.D. (with Honors in Research) from Tufts University where he conducted research in cord blood stem cell biology, peripheral and spinal cord nerve regeneration, laser surgery and experimental microsurgery. He then underwent training in general surgery at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, followed by a research fellowship in craniofacial and microsurgical tissue engineering and stem cell biology at at New York University. There, Dr. Cetrulo was awarded a research grant by the American Society for Maxillofacial Surgeons to study the use of stem cells in craniofacial surgery. This research led to the award for the Best Paper in Craniofacial Surgery from the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, chosen from all craniofacial papers published in the journal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in 2005. In addition, Dr. Cetrulo's work utilizing microsurgical free-flaps for tissue engineering led to the successful acquisition of NIH grant funding for the laboratory. Dr. Cetrulo next completed a clinical fellowship in hand and reconstructive microsurgery at the Buncke Clinic, followed by plastic surgery training at the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group and Nassau County Medical Center with a broad experience in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.