Book excerpt: Experienced authors offer a practical "in the trenches" view of life in the laboratory.A clinical application focus relates concepts to practice and offers examples of using theoretical information in the laboratory setting.Coverage of quality control assurance and regulatory issues includes the "whys" in both reagents and equipment.An entire chapter is devoted to basic genetics and immunology coverage.Blood group systems are described in easy-to-follow, student-friendly terms.Illustrations and tables help you understand critical information.A two-color design brightens the text and makes it more reader-friendly.Chapter outlines, review questions, learning objectives, and key terms are included in each chapter, highlighting and reinforcing important material.Critical Thinking exercises ask you to draw conclusions based on a case study.Chapter summaries include a paragraph, table, or box of the essential information.NEW information reflects changes in the field, including: Different types of DNA testing and usesAutomation impact and issuesLatest donor criteria from the AABB and the FDAHepatitis C and HIV NAT testingWest Nile testingBacterial contamination statistics and preventionBone marrow transplant blood usePeripheral stem cell collectionCord blood collection and useMore case studies, examples, and flow charts in the Antibody Detection and Identification chapter help to illustrate principles and practices.Margin Notes are added throughout to reinforce key terms and procedures.More review questions are added for thorough and efficient self-assessment.Expanded Evolve resources include web links, ArchieMD animations, and additional study questions