Concepts in Cytometry
The goal of this forum is to discuss general topics in cytometry, to advance the scientific discussion on the clinical use of cytometry and to favor consensus processes on an international and interdisciplinary scale.
Diseases are caused by biochemical changes in cellular systems or organs. The measurement of disease processes by cytometric methods should greatly enhance the possibilities for the continuous determination of individual patient diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic progress.
Clinical cytometry addresses at present preferentially the immunological and hematological field where cellular immunephenotyping constitute the major methodology e.g. in leukemia classification or HIV infection and transplantation (hematopoietic stem cells, renal etc) monitoring.
Multiparameter measurements of cell functions in conjunction with antibody binding and DNA determinations are of high interest for fast occurring clinical processes like infectious, allergic, thrombotic or rhumatoid affections as well as for therapy control.
The concept forum will display short position statements on various of these issues. The contributions are open for general scientific discussion by E-mail. This includes the display of www-pages either in direct form or by links for continuous update by authors and discussants. Proposals for the inclusion of new topics are encouraged.