Adult stem cells can be isolated from several different tissues and using a variety of methods. Among the places that are the most easily accessible is the adipose tissue. The adipose tissue presents a significantly higher concentration of stem cells in relation to the bone marrow (1% versus> 0.01%), in addition to being a tissue with several sources and that can be accessed with different methodologies. In addition, the collection of adipose tissue is less invasive than bone marrow with less risk of serious complications and without ethical limitations.

Adipose tissue is an extraordinarily complex tissue of mesodermal origin, composed of several types of cells, including mature adipocytes, pre-adipocytes, fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and immune system cells. In addition, the same adipose tissue isolation site may contain several types of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC); as it is such a complex and rich cellular microenvironment, each cell can lead to a possible different therapeutic application, including in tissue engineering.

This collection of methods will welcome articles that describe different methodologies used for the isolation of ADSCs, for phenotypic and genotypic characterization, and for the expansion of cell cultures among others. Various methodologies for its use in tissue engineering will also be covered in this collection. This collection of methods aims to bring together a comprehensive group of protocols that are useful for researchers interested in exploring different characteristics of ADSCs for their better usability in therapies.