Epithelial Cell Culture: Methods and Protocols

This detailed book explores the most current techniques to study systems and epithelial cell culture. Beginning with an overview, the volume then continues to detail systems that seek to mimic the three-dimensional organization, epithelial cells from different organs, gastrointestinal system, thyroid, salivary gland, ovary, mammary gland, and olfactory epithelial tissue. Cell culture is a fundamental technique in both medical research and drug discovery and  two-dimensional (2D) culture has been the preferred method, due to the ease with which cell monolayers can be induced to proliferate on planar surfaces. The book propose several functional assay useful to test  cell activities. Further,  The past decades have witnessed significant efforts toward the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures. Today, 3D cell cultures are emerging not only as a new tool in early drug discovery, but also as potential therapeutics to treat disease. Written forthe highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include the kind of detail and key implementation advice that leads to excellent results in the lab.

Mario Baratta is Full professor in Veterinary Physiology at the University of Turin (IT). He got the master degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Parma (IT) and the PhD in Neuroendocrinology of Animal Farm at the University of Bologna (IT). Today he is the Coordinator of the Graduate School in Veterinary Science for Animal Health and Food Safety, University of Turin. His main interests are the biology of adult stem cells in different tissues and he has developed specific knowledge in functional assessment systems of epithelial cells and cell differentiation in mammary gland and in muscle in animal science.