HLA typing for transplantation of stem cells from unrelated donors. Transplantation of stem cells may cure some lethal malignant or genetic diseases but close matching of HLA histocompatibility antigens is required. The old serologic methods have large mismatches whereas today's DNA techniques can differentiate genes that differ in only a single amino acid. These techniques require less time and improved rates of transplant successes. Porcu, P. 1998.
T lymphocytes is associated with defect.
This study finds that defective Ras activation is directly associated with secondary unresponsiveness. This is due to an intrinsic proliferative defect, which is detectable only when CBTL is primed. Schultz, S. 1998. Umbilical cord blood from newborn babies can be used to treat a wider variety of diseases then the traditional bone marrow therapy. Both cord blood and bone marrow are rich in stem cells, which constantly divide to create new blood cells.