Purification of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Using the Side Population

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) primarily reside in bone marrow, are defined by their ability to maintain blood homeostasis, and replenish themselves through self‐renewal. Although HSC purification schemes vary from laboratory to laboratory, the resulting cell populations are similar, if not the same. This chapter will discuss different enrichment methods for HSCs and provide a detailed protocol for staining HSC with Hoechst 33342 for the side population (SP).