MOLECULAR HEMATOLOGY

Molecular haematology was last reviewed by the East Anglia Haematology Group in 1987. Six years on, the technology has advanced prodigiously and is now having a major impact on the diagnosis and treatment of ha ematological disorders. This update focuses on the recombinant DNA tec hnology now in routine practice, including cloning, sequencing and the ubiquitous polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Knowledge gained from the application of these techniques, and those employed to study proteins , are considered when designing therapeutics for medicine. The genetic regulation of haemoglobin, probably the archetypal system for workers in this field, is discussed. Gene therapy is considered for haematolo gical disorders, and put into perspective. Conclusions from the use in clinical practice of a mature recombinant protein - factor VIII - are discussed. The most ambitious research project in the field, to seque nce the entire human genome, is put in perspective. Some of the ethica l issues of such work are also considered. Finally, the applications a nd recent advances of recombinant DNA technology in forensic science a re summarised.