Over the past decade technical and conceptual breakthroughs, cross-species comparisons, and multidisciplinary approaches have led to a virtual revolution in developmental biology. In Developmental Hematopoiesis: Methods and Protocols, a panel of expert investigators critically surveys an array of methods available to study hematopoiesis and describes in detail the powerful techniques they have established to investigate embryonic, fetal, and (to a lesser extent) postnatal blood development. The authors apply their approaches to invertebrate (fruit flies) as well as vertebrate (frog, fish, mouse, chick, and human) organisms. These state-of-the-art techniques range from the genetic, molecular, and cellular, to cell and embryo explant culture and whole animals, including in vivo imaging. Bioinformatic and functional genomic approaches for studying stem cells and their supportive stromal cells are also discussed. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine series format, each one offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. §Cutting-edge and highly practical, Developmental Hematopoiesis: Methods and Protocols offers novice and seasoned researchers alike the critical tools needed to gain a fundamental understanding of stem cell biology-examining not only how hematopoietic stem cells form, but also how they differ in the embryo, the fetus, and the adult.The first collection of methods to study embryonic and fetal hematopoiesis in both invertebrate (fruit flies) and vertebrate (frog, fish, mouse, chick, and human) organisms. These state-of-the-art techniques range from the genetic, molecular, and cellular, to cell and embryo explant culture and whole animals, including in vivo imaging. Bioinformatic and functional genomic approaches for studying stem cells and their supportive stromal cells are also discussed. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine series format, each one offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
