New techniques to study cell signaling and function can develop at a staggering pace; however, many approaches are as valid today as on the day they were established. Thus, the main aim of "Platelets and Megakaryocytes: Volume 3, Additional Protocols and Perspectives" is to complement the first two volumes published in 2004 by adding recently developed state of the art techniques. Conveniently divided into three sections, this detailed volume covers techniques to study platelet function, approaches to investigate megakaryocyte function, and perspectives on important overall concepts in the field of megakaryocyte and platelet biology. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology" series format, methods chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and vital tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Authoritative and up-to-date, "Platelets and Megakaryocytes: Volume 3, Additional Protocols and Perspectives" adds a wealth of new expertise for the labs of scientists working in this key biological area of study.
Part I: Additional Protocols for the Study of Platelet Function 1. Intravital Imaging of Thrombus Formation in Small and Large Mouse Arteries: Experimentally-Induced Vascular Damage and Plaque Rupture In Vivo 2. Assessment of Platelet Aggregation Responses In Vivo in the Mouse 3. Focal Cerebral Ischemia 4. Extracorporeal Assays of Thrombosis 5. Platelet Life Span and Apoptosis 6. A Live Cell Micro-Imaging Technique to Examine Platelet Calcium Signalling Dynamics Under Blood Flow 7. Platelet Shape Change and Spreading 8. Clot Retraction 9. Visualization and Manipulation of the Platelet and Megakaryocyte Cytoskeleton 10. Measurement of Platelet Microparticles 11. Assessing Protein Synthesis by Platelets 12. A Rapid and Efficient Platelet Purification Protocol for Platelet Gene Expression Studies Part II: Additional Protocols for the Study of Megakaryocyte Function 13. Characterization of Megakaryocyte Development in the Native Bone Marrow Environment 14. Culture of Murine Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Fetal Liver and Bone Marrow 15. In Vitro Generation of Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells 16. Megakaryocyte and Platelet Production from Human Cord Blood Stem Cells 17. Culture of Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and a Preadipocyte Cell Line 18. Purification of Native Bone Marrow Megakaryocytes for Studies of Gene Expression 19. Assessment of Megakaryocyte Migration and Chemotaxis Part III: Perspectives on the Study of Platelet and Megakaryocyte Function 20. Megakaryopoiesis and Thrombopoiesis: An Update on Cytokines and Lineage Surface Markers 21. Using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) to Assess Gene Function in Thrombus Formation 22. Platelet Receptor Shedding 23. Endogenous Inhibitory Mechanisms and the Regulation of Platelet Function 24. Platelet Proteomics: State of the Art and Future Perspective