Immunology

Immunology studies the relationship between the innate and adaptive immune systems, pathogens and immunity. The innate immune system defends the host in an immediate and non-specific manner from infection. It involves monocytes & macrophages, natural killer cells, the complement system, pattern recognition receptors and cytokines. The adaptive immune system is composed of highly specialized cells (e.g. B cells and T cells) that eliminate pathogens in a specific and memorized manner. Clinical immunology studies diseases caused by disorders of the immune system (e.g. immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, and allergies).