Immunology/Bibliography

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• Travis J. (2009) On the Origin of The Immune System. Science 324:580-2.
  • Excerpt: Darwin's elaboration of diversificationand natural selection as organizingprinciples of life inspired early immunologists,helping them see that humans andpathogens are locked in their own survivalof-the-fittest battle. His theory also helpedresearchers realize that some of our immunedefenses depend on a system of diversity coupledwith selection among proteins.As this newfound evolutionary mindsetshaped immunological thinking near the turnof the 19th century, researchers also began tospeculate about how our complex system ofdefenses arose. After decades of research,modern immunologists now think that singlecelledorganisms must have started by harnessingtoxic peptides and gene-disabling moleculesto thwart invading microbes-theseweapons are still found in the simplest eukaryotesand more complex animals. And thenwhen multicellular creatures evolved, theywere able to devote specialized cells to taskssuch as engulfing bacteria and viruses.