Human amniotic fluid and amniotic membranes have received a great deal of attention as sources for novel fetal stem and progenitor cells with potential for regenerative medicine. Reports from several laboratories have shown that human amniotic fluid and membranes contain subpopulations of cells that are highly proliferative and have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Furthermore, these cells demonstrate tropic support and exhibit low immunogenicity, suggesting their suitability for a wide range of clinical applications. However, there is an outstanding need to better understand the origin, lineage, genetic, and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that underlie the biology of amniotic cells.

The goal of this issue on amniotic stem cells is to provide an opportunity to discuss different view points and recent findings that enhance our knowledge and facilitate potential applications and patient safety. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Cells in amniotic fluid: where are they from and where are they going?
  • Amniotic membranes: similar or different source of cells in amniotic fluid?
  • Amniotic fluid cells: stem cells, progenitors, discards or in transition?
  • What is their connection to mesenchymal stem cells?
  • Developmental lineage of cells in amniotic fluid and membranes: what do we know?
• Gene and protein expression
  • MicroRNA regulation of gene expression
  • Epigenetic modifications in fetal cells
  • Proteomics of amniotic fluid and membrane cells. Are there any useful biomarkers?
• Unique facets of signaling
  • Operant cell signaling pathways
  • Impact of maternal signaling molecules on fetal cells
• Applications
  • Applications in drug screening
  • Applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering
  • Safety: when one transplantation is not enough
  • Ethical issues associated with their applications in humans

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: