Immunology, Infection, and Immunity

With a focus on the relatedness of immunology and microbiology, Immunology, Infection, and Immunity covers both the foundation concepts of immunology, among the most exciting in modern biology and medicine, and their application to the real world of diseases and health. This new text combines clear narratives of how the immune system functions relying in many instances on supporting data from experiments. The editors use examples and illustrations depicting basic immunologic processes in conjunction with their role in infectious or other diseases in order to teach both basic and applied aspects of immunology. A chapter on antibody–antigen interactions and measurements of immunologic reactions familiarizes students with the tools of experimental immunology. In addition to an emphasis on infectious diseases, the book focuses strongly on those areas where the immune system does not act when it should – primary and acquired immunodeficiency, and the failure to control cancer – as well as areas where the over–activity or dysregulation of the immune system is a cause of pathology – hypersensitivity reactions, including allergy and asthma, autoimmunity and the unwanted immune responses to transplanted tissues and organs. To bring the full flavor and excitement of immunology to new students, the editors have assembled an outstanding group of contributors with expertise in the multiple areas of immunology who provide the most up–to–date information in this quickly moving field. All of the chapters have standardized thematic and structural aspects to provide critical information in a comprehensive style. Immunology, Infection, and Immunity is ideally suited for upper division and graduate level students as well as medical and dental students with a good background in basic biology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology. The text complements traditional views and dogmas about immunology with today′s cutting edge ideas and experimental data describing how the immune system works, some of which are challenging and changing some long–held beliefs about the function of the immune system. Key Features Examines the basic molecular and cellular components of the immune system relative to the pathogenesis and prevention of infectious diseases Concentrates on the way in which the immune system is critical to the pathogenesis and prevention of infectious diseases Focuses on primary and acquired immunodeficiency and immune system dysregulation as causes of pathology Contributions from multiple areas of immunology present current information in a rapidly moving field All chapters have standardized thematic and structural aspects to provide critical information in a comprehensible style Examples and illustrations depict basic immunologic processes in conjunction with their role in infectious or other diseases About the Electronic Study Guide The DLG CD—ROM is an interactive, automated program that organizes each chapter from Immunology, Infection and Immunity into questions, answers, and extensive explanations. The software helps students first through reviewing the book and then helps them quiz themselves and assess their progress. Students can print out or even stop a study session and resume exactly where they left off at their convenience. With the DLG, students will be able to quickly learn new information, retain it longer, and improve their test scores. Students can work at their own pace, measure their performance, and make the most efficient use of their study time. Prepared by Mary J. Ruebush Recommended system requirements: Windows 98/98SE/ME/NT4/2000/XP Pentium Class Processor, 166 MHz or greater 64 MB of RAM 300 MB free disk space Internet connection for registration/activation only