As dogmas in stem cell research are losing their impact and recent findings regarding the use and cultivation of stem cellsand tissue transplantation have opened up new therapeutic avenues, this Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop was initiated to highlight current and future approaches in this field.The only stem cells that
have been used clinically for a longtime is the hematopoietic stem cell as a source for bone marrowtransplantation. Recent findings now
indicate that hematopoieticstem cells, under certain conditions, are able to differentiateinto endothelial, neural or muscle cells, providing exciting newtherapeutic possibilities. They represent a future source fortissue engineering replacing defective cells or tissues and allowing diseased organs to regain their functions. Both
reconstitution techniques are paving the way for the development of newtherapeutic strategies, giving hope of being able to cure andnot only treat patients.

INDICE: H. Ostermann: Bone Marrow Reconstitution; G. Kempermann:Neural Stem Cells and Adult Neurogenesis; P.V. Shastri
andI. Martin: Tissue Engineering by Cell Transplantation; St.Selbert and W. Franz: Myocardial Tissue Engineering; Ph.Menasché: Cellular Transplantation for Treatment of HeartFailure; F.A. Auger et al.: A Truly New Approach for TissueEngineering: The LOEX Self-Assembly Technique; L. De Bartoloand A. Bader: Flat Membrane Bioreactor for the Replacementof Liver Functions; J.J. Yoo and A.A. Atala: TissueEngineering of Genitourinary Organs.