What are the current methods for diagnosing leukemia?
First you look at the morphology. Based on the morphological appearances, we have a clinical flow cytometry lab and we do immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry on a routine basis for making the diagnosis. That’s the mainstay of diagnosis at this point. So you look under the microscope, look at an aspirate smear, and see if there’s anything abnormal. Then you send some sample for cytogenetic analysis, and some for flow cytometry. We have 40 to 50 markers for different cell lineages, and based on those you determine what type of leukemia it is. That’s all we have at this point. How long is this NIH grant for? It’s technically for two years. Next year I would presumably be getting the same amount. I may also take the stem cell angle and hope to get some funding from California State Stem Cell Program. There are multiple options. Basically, I’m most excited by the biology. Technology is only a means to an end. This bone marrow to me is as fascinating as the brain, or some other organ. An
