Immunology in the Twentieth Century: From Basic Science to Clinical Application

Immunology grew from common knowledge that those who survived many of the common infectious diseases rarely contracted the same disease again. Immunology as a distinctive subject developed in the mid-twentieth century as researchers started to understand how the adaptive immune system aids the defence against pathogens. The subject has since grown in importance and diversified into specialist fields such as immunohistochemistry, immunogenetics and immunopathology. Immunology in the Twentieth Century charts the historical development of this vital branch of medicine in a concise volume, covering both the basic science involved and the clinical applications.

Provides a concise overhead of the history of immunology and its applications in medicineIncludes a discussion of the scientists who were pioneers of some landmark discoveries in Immunology: a feature overlooked in most booksSummarizes the clinical applications of major discoveries

1. The antibodies
2. The cells of the immunity
3. The genetic basis of the immune response
4. Immunity and cancer
5. Concluding remarks
6. References