Skeletal Development and Repair: Methods and Protocols is a compilation of a variety of skeletal research protocols utilizing the laboratory mouse as the platform for surgical manipulation and/or transplantation, as well as, the source of tissues and cells for in vitro culture and analyses. Chapters are written by experts in the field and cover topics including surgical, transplantation, and organ culture methods that permit analyses of skeletal tissues undergoing repair in vivo and permits analyses of cellular interactions ex vivo, histological and molecular techniques developed to study gene and protein expression in whole embryos, skeletal tissues and tissue sections, and in vitro primary cell culture protocols designed to assay gene function in specific cell populations. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Skeletal Development and Repair: Methods and Protocols is a comprehensive laboratory manual for all levels of basic research scientists working in the broad fields of skeletal development and skeletal repair research.--