ABSTRACT: The 11th Conference on Hemoglobin Switching was held in the Rosario Conference Center, Orcas Island, Washington from October 2 to October 6, 1998. The term "hemoglobin switching" is used to describe the phenomena--physiological, cellular, and molecular-- that play a role in the regulation of the expression of globin genes in development and differentiation. This is a very active field of research that relates directly to the general inquiry of regulation of gene expression during development and differentiation.

Through the conferences on hemoglobin switching held during the last 20 years new ideas and approaches have emerged which furthered our understanding of the regulatory processes involved in the developmental control of globin genes and hematopoiesis. Traditionally, topics of these conferences include the regulation of hematopoiesis, the transcriptional control of hematopoiesis as well as the control of globin genes during development. In most recent years the question of gene therapy of the hemoglobinopathies has also been addressed. Abstracts of presentations at the plenary sessions are listed in alphabetical order. Abstracts of the poster session follow in alphabetical order.