Stem Cell Aging ― Mechanisms, Consequences, Rejuvenation

Aging of somatic stem cells reduces stem cell function and results in dysfunctional organs and tissues. Aging of stem cells is thus an underlying cause for aging associated diseases. It might even be the primary cause for age-associated attrition of tissue function in organs that heavily rely on stem cells for maintaining homeostasis like skin, blood, intestine. Understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging of stem cells is critical for developing approaches to attenuate stem cell aging and it might pave avenues for a healthier life in the elderly. This book presents our current knowledge on mechanisms of aging of stem cells, written by highly prominent experts in the field. It gives insight into stem cell function, comprehensively explains the mechanisms of stem cell aging in model organisms as well as mammalian systems and describes related diseases and approaches on how to attenuate stem cell aging or attain rejuvenation. The book is written for scientists and clinicians working with stem cells, aging mechanism and age related diseases.

Hartmut Geiger studied chemistry and biochemistry at the Universities of Karlsruhe and Witten/Herdecke in Germany. He received his PhD from the Max-Planck-Institute for Immunobiology in Freiburg, Germany in 1999. From 1999 to 2002 he was scientific research fellow at the University of Kentucky, USA with expertise in stem cells, genetics and aging. From 2002 to 2008 he was Assistant Professor at the Division of Experimental Hematology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, USA. Since 2008 he has been Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati, USA and Professor at the University of Ulm, Division of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Germany. His main research interest lies in the molecular biology of aging.