Our understanding of the formation of blood cells and its control has evolved over the last 40 years from work originally undertaken in murine and subsequently human marrow cells. This led to the concept of haematopoietic stem cells and more recently these same cells have been shown to be capable of generating other cell types such as liver, pancreas and neural tissue. This topic is huge and the authors have focussed on some of the background and clinical aspects which are of importance to surgeons in training.
Caroline Ebdon BSc(Hons) MBBS MRCP is a Specialist Registrar in Haematology at Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley, Surrey, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared
Paul Batty BSc(Hons) MBBS MRCP is a Specialist Registrar in Haematology at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared
J Graham Smith BSc MD FRCP FRCPath is a Professor of Haematology at the University of Surrey and Consultant in Haematology at Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley, Surrey, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared
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