Human Blood Groups

This monograph covers the entire field of blood group serology, with its main emphasis on the chemical and biochemical basis of blood group specificity. Full consideration is given to molecular biology investigations, in particular to studies on the structure of blood group genes and the molecular biological basis of alleles and rare blood group variants, whereby relevant literature up to the year 2000 is covered. The text is supplemented by numerous illustrations and tables, and detailed reference lists. The five years since the publication of the first edition have brought further advances in blood group research. Thanks to modern molecular biology, scientists have not only been able to identify the bearer molecules of many more blood groups, they have clarified the molecular basis of a number of further blood group specifities as well. This book offers a concise survey for use by blood bankers and researchers in biochemistry, blood group serology, immunohematology, forensic medicine, population genetics, and anthropology.