This volume provides a unique forum to review cell microencapsulation in a broad sense by
exploring various cell types that have been encapsulated for different purposes different
approaches and devices used for microencapsulation the biomaterials used in cell
microencapsulation the challenges to the technology and the current status of its application
in different clinical situations. This book is divided in five sections: Section I is an
introductory part that discusses historical developments of the technology and its current
challenges as well as the various applications of cell microencapsulation Section II
discusses the main approaches and devices currently used in cell microencapsulation Section
III presents an overview of the various polymeric materials currently in use for cell
microencapsulation and the enabling technologies to either monitor or enhance encapsulated cell
function Section IV gives specific examples of the methods used to encapsulate various cell
types and Section V provides an overview of the different clinical situations in which cell
microencapsulation has been applied. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular
Biology series format chapters include introductions to their respective topics lists of the
necessary materials and reagents step-by-step readily reproducible laboratory protocols and
tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and practical Cell
Microencapsulation: Methods and Protocols is a valuable reference for researchers engineers
clinicians and other healthcare professionals as well as food technologists who will find
detailed descriptions of methods for the microencapsulation of specific cell types and their
current of potential clinical and industrial applications. This volume also includes detailed
information about the design and manufacture of different devices including large-scale
production devices for use in cell microencapsulation.
