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I had no idea people could become allergic to cockroach antigens. That surprised me. It makes sense that they would act as an immunological adjuvant in the pres
by possibilistic 12y ago
I had no idea people could become allergic to cockroach antigens. That surprised me. It makes sense that they would act as an immunological adjuvant in the presence of the bacteria the cockroaches carry. If you activate the immune system defenses in the presence of a non-self epitope (or sometimes even self in autoimmune diseases), you're going to pick up antigen recognition.
Immunology is a subject all on its own right. Rife with complexities to unravel for centuries to come.
It really sucks that this would take lobster off the menu. I don't have the money or palate to eat them, and I haven't thought much about the ethical questions of boiling them, but what an interesting and long-winded evolutionary anecdote. It's so absurd it feels like a joke. Biology never ceases to be fascinating...
- sanoli 12y ago> Immunology is a subject all on its own right. I find it fascinating too. Too bad I don't have a good amount of knowledge in the area to delve into it. Do you have any suggestions of books for someone who wants to learn?
- possibilistic 12y agoI used Janeway's Immunobiology in undergrad. It's not bad and has great figures, but the text is a little dry. This is purely anecdotal; sample size of one. For what it's worth we relied solely upon the primary literature as the basis for a second semester course, so I'd say it prepared us for at least that much. (Granted you'll also need to study the techniques and assays. Some biochem, molecular, and cell phys also helps.) Once you delve into the literature the organized rules you spend time memorizing begin to look silly. There is so much behaviour outside the lines that we are only beginning to characterize.