Platelets and Megakaryocytes

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(TM) 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.

Intravital Imaging of Thrombus Formation in Small and Large Mouse Arteries: Experimentally-Induced Vascular Damage and Plaque Rupture In Vivo.- Assessment of Platelet Aggregation Responses In Vivo in the Mouse.- Focal Cerebral Ischemia.- Extracorporeal Assays of Thrombosis.- Platelet Life Span and Apoptosis.- A Live Cell Micro-Imaging Technique to Examine Platelet Calcium Signalling Dynamics Under Blood Flow.- Platelet Shape Change and Spreading.- Clot Retraction.- Visualization and Manipulation of the Platelet and Megakaryocyte Cytoskeleton.- Measurement of Platelet Microparticles.- Assessing Protein Synthesis by Platelets.- A Rapid and Efficient Platelet Purification Protocol for Platelet Gene Expression Studies.- Characterization of Megakaryocyte Development in the Native Bone Marrow Environment.- Culture of Murine Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Fetal Liver and Bone Marrow.- In Vitro Generation of Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.- Megakaryocyte and Platelet Production from Human Cord Blood Stem Cells.- Culture of Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and a Preadipocyte Cell Line.- Purification of Native Bone Marrow Megakaryocytes for Studies of Gene Expression.- Assessment of Megakaryocyte Migration and Chemotaxis.- Megakaryopoiesis and Thrombopoiesis: An Update on Cytokines and Lineage Surface Markers.- Using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) to Assess Gene Function in Thrombus Formation.- Platelet Receptor Shedding.- Endogenous Inhibitory Mechanisms and the Regulation of Platelet Function.- Platelet Proteomics: State of the Art and Future Perspective.