Umbilical cord blood, previously discarded after birth, has emerged over recent years as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for hematological reconstitution, mainly for leukemia patients, as well as for some hematological deficiencies and bone marrow failures. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that cord blood, as well as the surrounding tissue of the umbilical cord, contain additional stem cells which have been shown to be of great potential for regenerative medicine. Importantly, cord blood is abundant, it can be banked and shipped with ease, and thus has an...