Detection and analysis of human granulocyte--monocyte precursors using semi-solid cultures.

The in vitro cloning of haemopoietic precursors is a rapidly growing field. The data reviewed above and the current practical applications of the techniques can be expected to increase quite rapidly in the next decade. Despite the technical problems of tissue culture and the special problems associated with culturing human cells, it is clear that these procedures can be effectively applied at the clinical level. The value of the data obtained will vary directly with the quality of the culture techniques. Any centre undertaking these techniques must be prepared to properly equip the culture laboratory, appoint a full-time staff member for the work and maintain a constant surveillance of the quality of the culture work.