Stem Cells and Ion Channels

Call for Papers

Ion channels are key determinants for the function of excitable cells, but little is known about their role and involvement during embryonic development and cell fate determination. During recent years, it has become clear that ion channels are involved in a variety of biological processes which exceeds the generation and regulation of action potentials by far. Several studies have emerged now elucidating the role of distinction channel function in different stem cells, and subsequently numerous questions have been raised concerning ion channels as modulators of early, pluripotent stem cells as well as of adult stem cells, such as mesenchymal or neural stem cells. These functions include, for example, regulation of proliferation, modulation of the cytoskeleton, migration, and cell differentiation. Nevertheless, the molecular basis underlying these processes is only poorly understood.

In this special issue, we welcome review and original papers of how different types of stem cells are studied within the context of ion channel expression, their biological function, and underlying molecular mechanisms. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Distinct functionality of ion channels in stem cells
• Stem cell-specific expression patterns of ion channels
• Impact of ion channel activity on cell differentiation and function
• Newly found expression of ion channels in stem cells

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/sci/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Stefan Liebau, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany

Guest Editors

• Alexander Kleger, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
• Michael Levin, Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Biology Department, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
• Shan Ping Yu, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, USA