What the body knows : a guide to the new science of our immune system Cover Image

Book

What the body knows : a guide to the new science of our immune system / John Trowsdale.

Summary:

"A leading scientist's guide to the way our immune system protects us--but only most of the time".

"What is our immune system, and how does it work? A vast array of cells, proteins and chemicals spring into action whenever our bodies are damaged, but immunity is not something you can see, touch or feel. It can fight off malicious bacteria and viruses, locate cancerous growths, and even re-wire our brains - but sometimes our own tissues can get caught in its crossfire, with catastrophic consequences. Humans may be the most disease-ridden animals on the planet. Professor John Trowsdale shows how the immune system protects us, and how our bodies invest huge resources to keep it running. Immunity influences how we age, and controls how we learn to fight off recurring diseases, and how our bodies respond to chronic conditions such as heart disease and dementia. But, in the case of allergies and autoimmune conditions, it can also easily get things wrong. What the Body Knows is a hugely readable account of a fascinating phenomenon--one which, for good or for ill, impacts every aspect of our lives."

Record details

ISBN: 9780300277050
ISBN: 0300277059
Physical Description: x, 390 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Publisher: New Haven ; Yale University Press, [2024]
Copyright: ©2024

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 344-374) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Prologue: smart immunity -- Part I. Our secret army: how immunity works -- 1. Know your enemy and your friends: microbes -- 2. Strategy and resources: the basics of immunity -- 3. The infantry: complement -- 4. Detecting a threat: immune recognition -- 5. Let battle commence: inflammation -- 6. A flexible response: antibodies, the Holy Trinity and GOD -- 7. Sergeant Majors: T cells -- 8. Intelligence gathering: MHC molecules -- 9. Recruitment of allies: tolerance and cooperation -- 10. Recognising a threat: infectious non-self and danger -- Part II. Defence challenges: confronting disease -- 11. Civil war: autoimmunity -- 12. Collateral damage: hypersensitivity -- 13. Occupation: transplantation -- 14. Battle hardened: immune memory and vaccination -- 15. Traitors: cancer -- 16. Surrender: the ageing immune system -- 17. Innovative tactics: acquiring novel defence genes -- 18. Differing tactics: comparative immunology -- 19. Flying under the radar: evasion of defences -- 20. Supplies: diet and immunity -- 21. Chain of command: neuroimmunology -- Epilogue: war or peace.