Abstract
Human MHC (major histocompatibility complex) or HLA genes exhibit the highest degrees of polymorphisms. These polymorphisms play important roles not only in transplantation and transfusion but also in various other fields including human evolution, paternity test, personal identification, disease susceptibility, and drug hypersensitivity. Our experiences in the studies on the origin and formation of East Asian populations, susceptibility and resistance genes to narcolepsy, hepatitis B virus-related diseases, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are described.
