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Immunology

Immunology is the study of the structuree and function of the immune system which is responsible for the protection from invading foreign macromolecules or organisms. It is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in both healthy states and immunological disorders (autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency, transplant rejection); the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the immune system in vitro, in situ, and in vivo.

Contributors in Immunology

Immunology

immunoglobulin M (IgM)

Biology; Immunology

IgM is the class of immunoglobulin characterized by μ heavy chains. It is the first immunoglobulin to appear on the surface of B cells and the first to be secreted.

guanine-nucleotide exchange factors

Biology; Immunology

The guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are proteins that can remove the bound GDP from small G proteins; this allows GTP to bind and activate the G protein.

large pre-B cells

Biology; Immunology

The large pre-B cells have a cell-surface pre-B-cell receptor, which is lost on the transition to small pre-B cells, in which light-chain gene rearrangement occurs.

rearrangement

Biology; Immunology

Antigen receptor expression requires gene segment rearrangement in developing lymphocytes. The expressed V-region sequences are composed of rearranged gene segments.

recipient

Biology; Immunology

In any situation in which cells or tissues are transplanted, they come from a donor and are placed in a recipient or host.

seroconversion

Biology; Immunology

Seroconversion is the phase of an infection when antibodies against the infecting agent are first detectable in the blood.

polyspecificity

Biology; Immunology

Some antibodies show polyspecificity, the ability to bind to many different antigens. This is also known as polyreactivity.

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