Introduction.- Current Status and Perspectives in Stem Cell Research: the concept of Normal Stem Cell (NSC) and Cancer Stem Cell (CSC).- Essential Characteristics of Stem Cells: Self-Renewal and Plasticity.- Stem Cell Sources and Types of Animal Stem Cells.- Stemness and Stem Cell Markers.- Stem Cell Signaling Molecules and Pathways.- Expansion of Stem Cells: Propagation of Animal Stem Cells Ex Vivo (in Culture).- Stem Cell Pool: What are the Best...