Molecular Biology of Hemopoesis

Perhaps no scientific field in recent years has gained in techniques and applications as much as molecular biology, and it is certainly no exaggeration to say that among all the applications of molecular biology, hematology in general, and hemopoiesis in particular, have benefited most. Owing to the applications of molecular biology, we now live in a golden era of hemopoiesis has vastly expanded. The potential for future exploration provided the promise of fundamental treatment and "cure of many genetic disorders involving hemopoietic cells. In the ambiance of this rapidly moving scientific era, the necessity for review of what is being accomplished and where the technical potential is taking us needs no argument. This volume presents the proceedings potential the third annual symposium on the Molecular Biology of Hemopoiesis, held in the Rye Town Hilton, New York, November 6 and 7, 1987, under the auspices of New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. The fact that this was the third regular symposium covering this area in itself testifies to a need for exchange of the rapidly developing knowledge in this area. But this third symposium also coincided with the centennial of the National Institutes of Health and consequently the symposium was dedicated to this festive occasion. Biomedical scientists are an argumentative lot; but no one can argue that without generous help and direction from NIH, the impressive advances of the past century would not have been possible in biomedical sciences. Hence, it is only appropriate that in the present volume Dr. David Badman of NIH provides us with historical role of NIH in biomedical research and Dr. Alan Levine of NIH concludes the conference with some remarks on the future perspective of biomedical research and the role NIH. The organizing committees are particularly indebted to Dr. Richard Levere, Chairman of the Department of Medicine at New York Medical College, with whose support this meeting would have not been possible. The organizers are also grateful to Leukemia Society of American (Westchester Chapter); Toyobo Co., Ltd.; Merck, Sharp and Dohme; Coulter Electronics; and Upjohn Laboratories for their financial support.