HLA FactsBook

Dr. Parham was born in London and read natural sciences at Cambridge University. He began study of the genetic basis of HLA polymorphism in 1973 and has continued this line of research ever since. Dr. Parham is currently Professor of structural biology and microbiology and immunology at Stanfor University. Linda Barber's doctoral and post-doctoral studies examined the structure and function of MHC classI and classII molecules with emphasis on the impact of polymorphism on peptides bound and presented for immune surveillance. Dr. Barber's current interests focus on utilizing our understanding of the role of MHC molecules in T cell and NK cell function to develop improved prophylatic and therapeutic strategies for manipulating immune responses.

"One might consider this book to be an HLA Thesaurus, which should be on the desk of every serious HLA research. The compilers have done a excellent job." --European Federation for Immunogenetics Newsletter "This information will prove invaluable to each laboratory and I suggest that each should have a copy of this book...the authors deserve our thanks for bringing the present available information together in one text - to do this was no mean feat." --British Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Newsletter"...the data are an absolute treasure...I must have spent days looking for this kind of information in the past." --Immunology Today

• Preface.Abbreviations.The Introductory Chapters:Introduction.Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) Determine Histocompatibility in Transplantation.The Organisation of HLA Genes Within the HLA Complex.HLA Class I Antigens and Alleles: Workshops and Nomenclature.HLA Class II Antigens and Alleles: Workshops and Nomenclature.HLA Typing at the DNA Level.HLA Class I and II Molecules Present Peptide Antigens to Different Types of T Cell.HLA Class I Molecules Control Natural Killer Cell Function.Three-Dimensional Structures of HLA Class I Molecules.Three-Dimensional Structures of HLA Class II Molecules.HLA Polymorphism, Peptide Binding Motifs and T-Cell Epitopes.Evolution and Anthropology of HLA. HLA and Disease.Alloreactions in Transplantation.The HLA Class I and Class II Loci.