Papers from a recent symposium look at academic and blood bank aspects of the emerging science and application of cellular engineering and cellular therapies. Grouped in sections on defining the field, processing, quality, and clinical experiences, papers examine areas related to the potential of stem cell transplantation to rescue the failing liver, biological modification of lymphocytes on auto- and allo-immune diseases, cell harvest and purification technology, factors controlling the expansion and maturation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, cell processing for gene and cell therapy protocols, dendritic cell vaccination, and reconstituting T cell immunity following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Transfusion Medicine is a rapidly developing field of science which increasingly needs the bridging between fundamental biomedical research and applied research - this bridging is also recognised as translational research. The field of engineering of potential cells for therapeutic application does not only cover gene therapy, but also covers the manipulation of cellular characteristics and functional capacities. Harvest, preservation and manipulation of specific cells circulating in the peripheral blood extend beyond the conventional technologies. Where the procurement of human blood cells has been the field of expertise of the conventional blood bank, this extension should be regarded as a development of the field into a new direction. This new direction needs a change in philosophy, approach and expertise where an integrated collaborative attitude with the academic world is of paramount importance.This book provides the complete gamma of aspects, both academic and blood banking, of this fascinating new field of science and clinical application. It illustrates the potential possibilities and future opportunities to add new therapeutic directions to clinical medicine.
