Unexpected variation in immune genes poses difficulties for transplantation
Friday, August 3, 2012 - 13:00
in Biology & Nature
Human HLA genes -- the genes that allow our immune system to tell the difference between our own cells and foreign invaders -- are evolving much more rapidly than previously thought, according to a new article. The resulting degree of variation improves our ability to fight off disease, but could also present challenges to current worldwide efforts aimed at identifying potential donors for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation.