Hematopoietic Stem Cells -- The Road to Commitment: Lineage Restriction Events in Hematopoiesis -- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niches -- Molecular Biology of Erythropoiesis -- Development of Megakaryocytes -- Development of Macrophages and Granulocytes -- Development of T Lymphocytes -- Development of B Lymphocytes -- Development of Natural Killer cells -- Leukemic Stem Cells: New Therapeutic Targets? -- Targeting Signal Transduction Pathways in Hematopoietic Disorders. Although much is known with respect to blood cell formation and function many new concepts in regulation of hematopoietic stem cell commitment and subsequent survival, proliferation and differentiation of progenitors have been elucidated in the last five years. Our understanding of the microenvironment where stem cells reside (the niche) and commit to distinct blood types has grown significantly in recent years. Furthermore, blood cells have been used as the key model system to study microRNA function and the role of micro RNAs in transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. The current volume "Molecular Basis of Hematopoiesis," edited by Amittha Wickrema & Barbara Kee provides the most recent developments in the above mentioned areas in addition to a chapter on utilization of basic science knowledge for treatment of blood diseases. Each chapter in this book has been written and edited by faculty in major academic and research institutions around the world working directly in hematopoietic cell research who are pushing the frontiers of biology.