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Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists (AMLI)

The AMLI was chartered in 1987 in Williamsburg, VA. In the late 1970’s several factors merged to serve as the catalyst for the first AMLI meeting. At this time, a much-needed manual, Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology, was published and served as the primary reference manual for clinical immunology laboratories around the world. In addition, the number of American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI) diplomates being certified was growing. It soon became apparent that a format was needed to bring together individuals involved in the varied facets of clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology. As a consequence, a series of informal but successful meetings were held in Clearwater Beach, Fl. These preliminary meetings were the forerunner for the establishment of the AMLI. This year the AMLI celebrated its 31st Anniversary. Over the last several decades, AMLI has evolved to reflect the continuing advances in the field of medical laboratory immunology and to offer this dynamic information base to its immunology community.

The major focus of the AMLI is to unite professionals engaged in the practice and study of medical laboratory immunology. The organization’s mission is to improve the practice of clinical immunology laboratory testing by encouraging education and training of all individuals in the organization, maximizing the quality of test procedures, promoting the exchange of information, supporting clinical research efforts, and improving patient care.

Each year the AMLI holds an annual meeting that presents cutting edge science from various fields related to clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology. This event serves as a forum for clinical immunologists to meet, learn and discuss common interests. The annual meeting serves as a showcase of AMLI’s passion and commitment to the field of Immunology. Exciting topics covering a wide variety of areas such as, cancer vaccines, immune-based therapies, updates on immunodeficiencies, advances in transplantation, autoimmunity and infectious diseases, as well as new technologies and approaches for meeting the challenges in the clinical laboratory are highlighted. Other areas often addressed include new discoveries in immunology such as, advances in molecular immunology and cytokine biology and their impact on the practice of clinical immunology.

The AMLI continues to exercise its pivotal role in education, exchange of scientific knowledge and participation in quality control for laboratory testing. It achieves these objectives through its annual meeting, website, journal and evaluation of current and emerging methodologies. For example:

  • The society website, (AMLI.org), is expanding to not only provide information about its members and its annual meeting but also to generate more interactive educational opportunities.
  • Clinical and Applied Immunology Reviews, a peer-reviewed journal published by Elsevier served as the official AMLI journal from 2000-2007. Beginning in 2008 the Journal of Immunological Methods, also peer-reviewed and published by the Elsevier, became the new AMLI society journal.
  • The AMLI society fosters the evaluation of methodologies by establishing quality control for immunologic testing procedures. Development of National Reference Materials, the publication of Quality Control Standards and participation in autoantibody standardization are three important initiatives generated by the AMLI.

With the completion of its 35th year the AMLI continues to thrive as an independent society. The participation of AMLI as a member society in FOCIS helps to ensure that FOCIS is truly representative of the roles that Immunology plays in clinical medicine beyond research and treatment.

Barbara Detrick, Ph.D., D(ABMLI)
2006-2007 AMLI President