The incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing worldwide, and the search for better management of these diseases and even for a cure is being pursued by scientists from many disciplines. Tools from the areas of genetics, neuroscience, cell biology, virology, and infectious disease are being applied to the problem and are yielding useful results.This is the second volume of a series of four on autoimmunity, and findings related to particular organs, organ systems, and diseases are presented. The focus in Part B is on genetics and advances in treatment. Part A presents new principles in autoimmunity and new diagnostic tools. See Parts C and D for clinical venues in autoimmunity.NOTE:Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visitwww.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS:Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visitwww.nyas.org/membership/main.aspfor more information about becoming a member.