Description: The field of immunology has grown extensively during the past decadeo The basic concepts and importance of these findings may have clinical application in the management, detection, and ex- planation of human diseases. Therefore, when a topic was to be chosen for the dedication of the new Metropol itan Medical Center, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, immunology, and its relation to medi- cine, was selected. In fact, "applied immunology has had great impact on all aspects of medical practice. This impact has taken several forms: modern immunology has defined areaS of new medical practice (in the immunodeficiency disease, for example); has lent strength to the development of other areaS (such as transplantation and tumor immunology); has provided understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of certain diseases; has provided investigative ap- proaches in laboratory methods for the study of diseases; and may playa major role in diagnosis of treatment and cancer" (Lancet, April 19, 1976). The purpose of this symposium was to bring to the practicing phy- sician the current "state of the art" of immunological research in an interesting and comprehensible manner. It waS our hope that practic- ing physicians would be updated regarding new aspects of basic and clinical concepts of cellular immunology.
