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

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Trowsdale, John.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Immune system.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (401 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, [2024]

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 rewire 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. 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.

Contents:

Cover

Halftitle page

Title page

Copyright page

Dedication

Epigraph

Contents

Acknowledgements

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

Glossary

References

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780300280715

0300280718

OCLC:

1458758781