• 1 The threat to the body: the role and requirements of the immune system
• 2 The immediate response to infection: innate immunity and the inflammatory response
• 3 Specific immune recognition: B lymphocytes and the antibody molecule   
• 4 T lymphocytes and MHC-associated recognition of antigen
• 5 Lymphocyte development and the generation of antigen receptors  
• 6 Anatomy of the immune system  
• 7 Anatomical and cellular aspects of antibody production   
• 8 Effector mechanisms: dealing with pathogens in vivo (1)  Antibody-mediated responses  
• 9 Effector mechanisms: dealing with pathogens in vivo (2) Cell-mediated immunity   
• 10  Immunological memory and vaccination, the production and use of antibodies  
• 11  Immunological tolerance and regulation – why doesn’t the immune system attack ourselves?   
• 12  Autoimmune diseases   
• 13  Allergy and other hypersensitivities
• 14  AIDS   
• 15  Manipulating the immune system: transplantation and tumours
• Glossary  
• Index

'Brilliant combination of illustrations, content and question/answer sections. Good balance between theoretical immunology and case studies make it very useful for both lecturers and students.' - Professor Olivier Sparagano, Northumbria University

Understanding Immunology is a well-established introduction to this complex subject for readers with no previous exposure. It is aimed primarily at undergraduates in biological sciences, biomedical sciences and medicine. The selection and order of topic coverage is designed to instruct effectively, and a variety of boxed examples add depth and historical context for those readers wanting to go beyond the essentials.

The first part of the book (Chapters 1 to 11) takes students through the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and describes the molecules, cells and tissues of the immune system that provide protection against a wide variety of pathogens. It also describes how mankind has utilised the immune system, from the development of vaccines to the production of reagents for use in the clinic and laboratory. The final four chapters describe how the immune system operates in disease situations such as allergy, autoimmunity and transplantation.

This third edition is revised to cover the latest experimental and clinical changes in the subject, particularly those in the development of lymphocytes; the different types of CD4 helper T cells; the use of antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, as experimental and clinical tools; and immunological tolerance.

Dr. Peter Wood is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Manchester. He has over 20 years of teaching experience, both in the UK and in the USA, and is widely published in the literature. His current research interest is the role of cytokines in the development of diabetes. 

This third edition is revised to cover the latest experimental and clinical changes in the subject, particularly those in the development of lymphocytes; the different types of CD4 helper T cells; the use of antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, as experimental and clinical tools; and immunological tolerance.