Much progress has been made in the development of stem cell transplantation in rodent models of retinal disease; however, limitations to rodent-based research include nonhuman features such as small eyes, rod-dominated vision, the absence of a macula or visual streak, and short life span. As stem cell research moves toward clinical application in ophthalmology, the value of modeling and refining transplantation procedures in larger mammals becomes increasingly evident. Simultaneously, similar advances are being made in the brain and elsewhere in the central nervous system (CNS).

This special issue will focus on stem and progenitor cells from the CNS (brain, retina, spinal cord) of nonrodent mammals or cells modified to resemble such cells (e.g., iPS cells), together with the development of useful allogeneic donors and recipients. Any such species (except human) are of interest, although it is anticipated that there will be particular emphasis on pig, cat, dog, and monkey based on the amount of previous work conducted in these species. Work with human cell types is of interest if it involves either a caparison with cells from other nonrodent mammal species or transplantation to such species as xenografts. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• The derivation and characterization of neural stem and progenitor cells
• Genetic modification of such cells
• Reprogramming to generate such cells
• Development of transgenic animals
• Protocols for growing cells from species of interest
• Transplantation to the vitreous, retina, and CNS
• Transplant immunology
• Human cells xenografts into species of interest
• Cell replacement and neuroprotection
• Functional/behavioral testing of recipient species

Articles published in this special issue will not be subject to the journal's Article Processing Charges.

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.sage-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.sage-hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: