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Functional Assays for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal

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Cellular Programming and Reprogramming

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 636))

Abstract

Stem cells are defined by the ability to self-renew. Specific functional assays have been developed for the rigorous identification and quantification of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), making these cells the benchmark in studies of self-renewal. Here, we review the theory behind these functional stem cell tests and discuss important considerations in choosing and designing these assays. Finally, we provide a basic protocol for the serial-dilution assay, a quantitative assay for HSCs, from which individual researchers can construct their own customized protocols utilizing the guidelines discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Jeff Haug and the Flow Cytometry facility staff at Stowers Institute for help in designing the repopulation assay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA

    John M. Perry & Linheng Li

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Linheng Li

Authors
  1. John M. Perry
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  2. Linheng Li
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Linheng Li .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Scripps Research Institute, N. Torrey Pines Road 10550, La Jolla, 92037, U.S.A.

    Sheng Ding

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Perry, J.M., Li, L. (2010). Functional Assays for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal. In: Ding, S. (eds) Cellular Programming and Reprogramming. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 636. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-691-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-691-7_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-690-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-691-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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