Introductory Immunology: Basic Concepts for Interdisciplinary Applications

by Jeffrey K. Actor

Overview

Introductory Immunology quickly acquaints readers with natural immune responses manifesting in diseases and disorders. The book presents a complete picture of natural defenses to infectious agents, as well as the mechanisms that lead to autoimmune dysfunction. In addition, it examines immunologically based diseases, giving the reader sufficient knowledge to make sound clinical decisions leading to better treatment outcomes.

Introductory Immunology is aimed at researchers, postgraduates, or any scientifically inclined reader interested in immunology. No prior expertise in medical, biochemical, or cellular science is needed to benefit from the clear presentation of immunology concepts in this book.

• Quick, concise introduction to immunological concepts
• Breaks down all of immunology into manageable, logically digestible building blocks
• Geared toward readers without medical, biochemical, or cellular expertise

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780124200302
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	06/19/2014
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jeffrey K. Actor, PhD, is a professor and Medical Immunology Course Director in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Center at Houston. Dr. Actor received his PhD degree from the University of Massachusetts. His research interests include examination of host immune responses during pathogenic disease, understanding proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines during mycobacterial infections, vaccine development, and molecular mechanisms of adjuvant-induced immunomodulation.

Professor Actor has established himself as a productive educator-scientist with a strong background in immunology and molecular biology with a broad range of expertise in pathobiology. He has shown his commitment to education and excellence, at both the Medical School and Graduate School levels.

Table of Contents

Overview of immune componentsHost immune defensesSystems and cellsInnate and adaptive componentsImmune reactionsHow we defend against infectious agentsBacteria and mycobacteriaViral agentsHIV/AIDSFungal and parasitic organismsBasic disorders of immune functionAutoimmunitiesAllergies, asthma, and endocrinologyVaccines and ImmunotherapyHow vaccines functionVaccines: Truths and mythsImmunopharmacologyImmunity and agingCancer immunologyNatural defense against tumorsCancers of the immune systemTransplantation

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Provides an updated and expanded conceptual approach to understanding the immune systems as a primary defense to maintain health and homeostasis

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Marion C. Cohen, PhD (SUNY Downstate Medical Center)
Description: This book presents a brief summary of the components of the immune system to help readers understand the basis for protection from disease. The chapters are similar to those in any basic immunology textbook, but the details are presented in a limited fashion.
Purpose: According to the author, the purpose is to "appreciate the components of the human immune system that work to confer protection." In general, that is the purpose of any immunology textbook. There are several books with brief overviews of the immune system available. The advantage of this book is that it is readable. However, while it provides a review of how the immune system functions, it is unclear whether it is sufficiently detailed to serve its purpose for someone who has not had a course in immunology.
Audience: The author suggests that the target audience ranges from those who want to know something about the immune system to students, physicians who need an up-to-date understanding of the immune system, nurses, and patients. In other words, there is no specific target audience.
Features: The book provides a full overview of immunology in a readable but somewhat abbreviated format. A summary of the key points ends each chapter and there is a good glossary. There is no index, and one is definitely needed, and there are no references. The figures and tables are black and white at a time when many books include color art. Because of the relatively small size of the pages, some of the figures are difficult to follow without color.
Assessment: There are many immunology textbooks from which to choose. Few of them try to be all things to all users. This book is, in many ways, a dictionary of immunological terms and concepts. It would probably be a good review for undergraduate students, nursing students, and medical and dental students. However, it is not clear that patients would find it particularly useful.

Doody's Review Service

"This book is, in many ways, a dictionary of immunological terms and concepts. It would probably be a good review for undergraduate students, nursing students, and medical and dental students. Rating: 66 - 2 Stars" —Doody's.com, 2015

From the Publisher