Leukocyte Trafficking: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, and Methods

Written by known specialists in the field, this is a comprehensive and timely overview of a central and expanding topic. Simultaneously an introduction and a description of the latest concepts, findings and methods, the handbook provides basic knowledge on technical issues required for those intending to research in the field. It covers the functional role of involved molecules and the cellular mechanisms, and addresses selected examples for their possible application in therapy — bridging the gap between trafficking mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies. In addition, it includes selection of proven and timesaving methods for studying cell trafficking in vitro and in vivo.
The accompanying CD-ROM makes leukocyte migration videos available to a broad audience for the first time.

Written by renowned specialists in the field, this is a comprehensive and timely overview of a central and expanding topic in immunology and cell biology. At once an introduction and a description of the latest concepts, findings and methods, the handbook provides fundamental knowledge on scientific and technical issues required by those intending to research leukocyte trafficking. It thus covers the functional role of involved molecules and the cellular mechanisms, and addresses elected examples for their possible applications in therapy – bridging the gap between trafficking mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies. In addition, the book includes a selection of proven methods for studying cell trafficking in vitro and in vivo. The accompanying CD-ROM includes all figures of the book as electronic files and makes keukocyte migration videos available to a wide audience for the first time.

Professor Alf Hamann is leader of the liaison group Experimental Rheumatology located at the German Arthritis Research Centre and the Charité Hospital in Berlin. He established the research group in 1998 with a focus on basic and pathophysiological aspects of lymphocyte trafficking and immunoregulation.

Professor Britta Engelhardt started her career as research group leader at the Max-Planck Institute of Vascular Cell Biology in Münster, Germany, studying the molecular mechanisms of leukocyte migration into the central nervous system. Since 2003 shehas been director of the renowned Theodor-Kocher-Institute at the University of Bern, Switzerland.