Author Description

This book brings together in a critical study, current research on epithelial cell populations. It sets out to analyse the principles by which epithelial cell populations are organized, in terms of the function of their component populations. The approach is both descriptive and operational giving special emphasis to epithelial cell lineages, three-dimensional organization, methodology for measuring epithelial cell population sizes and proliferative rates, epithelial stem cell populations, growth reactions, response to cytotoxic insult, carcinogensis, and epithelial growth control. The book is directed primarily at those who are interested in the organization of proliferating and differentiating tissue systems, in terms of their contained cell lineages. There are many lessons in epithelia for those studying growth control since they are in many situations ideal models upon which to test general ideas and concepts.The authors also indicate the most important new research areas and provide advice on the practical approach to problems in epithelial cell proliferation and its control.