We spoke Dr Daniel Pregibon, SVP, Head of Platform Discovery and Technology at Repertoire, about the importance of decoding the immune system, how they are working towards this goal and ways in which their work can contribute to fighting the current pandemic. With such a complex system, developing a complete understanding is an enormous undertaking but one to which scientists have been striving. The interplay between the many facets of our immune system with one another and the rest of our body’s cells and systems is incredibly complex, involving many cell types and chemical signals all working in harmony. This brings into sharp focus just how important and how finely tuned this system must be to maintain good health. An absence of recognition of aberrant cells in our own body can see progression to cancers. An over-reaction to something harmless or to our own tissues leads to allergy and autoimmunity. A lack of response can leave us open to infections, as seen in HIV patients and those undergoing immunosuppressive therapies. When it goes wrong however, the consequences can be devastating. Our immune system is the vital gatekeeper between us and disease, fighting off invading pathogens and maintaining a careful balance between responsiveness and overreaction.
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