Immunogenetics
Immunogenetics
Immunogenetics (pronounced: im·mu·no·ge·ne·tics) is a branch of medical science that explores the relationship between the immune system and genetics. This field of study is crucial in understanding the pathogenesis of several diseases that involve the immune system.
Etymology
The term "Immunogenetics" is derived from the combination of two words: "Immuno," which refers to the immune system, and "genetics," which is the study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.
Definition
Immunogenetics is the study of how the genetic makeup of an individual affects their immune response. It involves the study of normal immunological pathways and the identification of genetic variations that can result in immune defects, leading to disease conditions.
Related Terms
- Immunology: The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity.
- Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms.
- Genome: The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
- Antigen: A toxin or other foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
- Antibody: A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
Applications
Immunogenetics has applications in several medical fields, including transplantation, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and cancer immunotherapy. It also plays a crucial role in the development of personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual's genetic makeup.
Research
Research in immunogenetics is focused on understanding the genetic control of the immune response. This includes the study of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which plays a crucial role in the immune response, and the genes that control the production of immunoglobulins and T cell receptors.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Immunogenetics
- Wikipedia's article - Immunogenetics
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