The Immune System: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Growing understanding of the immune system, and especially the creation of immune memory (long lasting protection), which can be harnessed in the design of vaccines, have been major breakthroughs in medicine.In this Very Short Introduction, Paul Klenerman describes the immune system, and how it works in health and disease. The immune system comprises a series of organs, cells and chemical messengers which work together as a team to provide defence against infection. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.. At the opposite extreme, as Klenerman shows, an over-exaggerated immune response leads to inflammatory diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, as well as allergy and asthma. In particular he focuses on the human immune system, considering how it evolved, the basic rules that govern its behavior, and the major health threats where it is important. The immune system is central to human health and the focus of much medical research. Klenerman discusses these components, the critical signals that trigger them and how they exert their protective effects, including so-called "innate" immune responses, which react very fast to infection, a

He authored the chapter on Adaptive Immunity, and co-authored a chapter on the Hepatitis C Virus in the Oxford Textbook of Medicine.. About the AuthorPaul Klenerman is Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Professor of Immunology at the University of Oxford. He is also Immune Theme Lead at the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Paul Klenerman is Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Professor of Immunology at the University of Oxford. He authored the chapter on Adaptive Immunity, and co-authored a chapter on the Hepatitis C Virus in the Oxford Textbook of Medicine.. He is also Immune Theme Lead at the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre