The Immune System

Peter Parham is a professor in the departments of structural biology as well as microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. Dr. Parham’s research has focused on proteins of the human immune system that vary greatly between individuals and populations. These differences, the consequence of natural selection, not only modulate the immune response to infection and cancer, but also influence the success of reproduction and therapeutic transplantation of cells, tissues, and organs. He was elected fellow of the Royal Society in 2008.

1. Elements of the Immune System and their Roles in Defense
2. Innate Immunity: The Immediate Response to Infection
3. Innate Immunity: The Induced Response to Infection
4. Antibody Structure and the Generation of B-Cell Diversity
5. Antigen Recognition by T Lymphocytes
6. The Development of B Lymphocytes
7. The Development of T Lymphocytes
8. T Cell-Mediated Immunity
9. Immunity Mediated by B Cells and Antibodies
10. Preventing Infection at Mucosal Surfaces
11. Immunological Memory and Vaccination
12. Coevolution of Innate and Adaptive Immunity
13. Failures of the Body’s Defenses
14. IgE-Mediated Immunity and Allergy
15. Transplantation of Tissues and Organs
16. Disruption of Healthy Tissue by the Immune Response
17. Cancer and Its Interactions with the Immune System