Donald Metcalf – författare

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are the major regulators in the body of the production and activity of two types of white blood cells - granulocytes and macrophages. This book provides a detailed account of the discovery of the CSFs, their structure, molecular biology and cellular receptors, the biology of the CSFs in vivo and in vitro and their present and future clinical applications. Written by two of the pioneers in the discovery of CSFs, it is a clear and well-illustrated survey of the history, knowledge and future directions of this exciting field of investigation, and serves also as a guide to the more general areas of growth factor and cytokine research. It will prove an invaluable review for cell biologists interested in how growth factors act on the body, as well as for clinicians applying the fruits of modern biotechnology to improved patient care.

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are the major regulators in the body of the production and activity of two types of white blood cells - granulocytes and macrophages. This book provides a detailed account of the discovery of the CSFs, their structure, molecular biology and cellular receptors, the biology of the CSFs in vivo and in vitro and their present and future clinical applications. Written by two of the pioneers in the discovery of CSFs, it is a clear and well-illustrated survey of the history, knowledge and future directions of this exciting field of investigation, and serves also as a guide to the more general areas of growth factor and cytokine research. It will prove an invaluable review for cell biologists interested in how growth factors act on the body, as well as for clinicians applying the fruits of modern biotechnology to improved patient care.

This book presents a masterful overview of the mechanics of blood cell formation and the factors that control blood cell growth. Cells circulating in the blood perform functions essential for the survival of organisms, yet blood cells and associated blood-cell-forming (hemopoietic) tissues have certain features that make them quite different from other vital organs in the body. These features include the short life span of mature blood cells, the multiplicity of blood cell types, and the wide dispersion of hemopoietic tissue in the body.The regulation of hemopoiesis in response to emergencies such as blood loss or infections is an exceedingly complex process. However, our knowledge of hemopoietic growth factors, known generally as colony-stimulating factors or CSFs, has made exciting advances in recent years. This book provides a leading authority's review of the purification and cloning of CSFs and their actions in regulating white blood cell production in the body. Donald Metcalf also examines the role of CSFs in controlling resistance to infections and in the initiation and suppression of myeloid leukemia.Metcalf's involvement at the center of this research from its inception to the present day enables him to give a historical view as well as a lucid summary of recent research. In addition, he addresses the broader question of the relation between growth control and cancer development. This excellent synopsis should be of particular interest to hematologists, virologists, general clinicians, and medical students.

''An exciting glance at key issues in contemporary hematopoiesis.'' -The Quarterly Review of Biology

''''An exciting glance at key issues in contemporary hematopoiesis.'''' -The Quarterly Review of Biology

The sudden burst of interest in the thymus during the last five years more than justifies the appearance of a monograph on those aspects of its function which bear particularly on immunity and the processes associated with the development of malignant disease. Of those who are actively working in the field I believe that Dr. DONALD METCALF is uniquely suited to produce such a work. His demonstration of a lymphocytosis stimulating factor from thymic tissue in 1956 was almost the first evidence of physiological activity by the thymus. He has played an important part in the analysis of the leukaemogenic process in mice and his recent work on thymic grafting has been almost disconcertingly productive of new ideas. I feel confident that this monograph will be of great value to a wide range of investigators and teachers interested in obtaining a clear summary of the present posi­ tion. Incidentally, Dr. METCALF has provided a well chosen sample of factual material from which others who may wish to question some of his speculations, can draw their own conclusions. He has been careful to keep the observational and experimental facts clearly distinct from theoretical matters but has not shirked from making his con­ tribution to the current ferment of immunological theory.