Immunology : Essential and Fundamental also encourages students to question the obvious and to explore the implications of the material they learn. The sidetracks present supplementary information, real-life implications, clinical uses, or research consequences for the interested student. They also engage students by providing tantalizing glimpses of possible future applications and suggesting avenues for further research, adding depth to their grasp of the subject.

The third edition, now in colour, expands and builds upon the popular features of the second edition, such as the summary boxes, sidetracks, and chapter acronym lists. Besides incorporating developments made in the field since the second edition, the authors have reorganised some of the earlier matter to foster understanding. The figures have been substantially enhanced to aid comprehension. An entirely new chapter focuses on infectious agents and the human immune system's responses to them. Moreover, mindmaps and flowcharts provide schematic organisation of data and visual overviews of processes. This edition of Immunology : Essential and Fundamental is an excellent tool for novices to the field who wish to explore the diverse aspects of immune function and for educators who wish to spark their students interests and imaginations.

From the preface: The authors have aimed at making this book about ideas and concepts rather than purely about facts and minutiae. Immunology : Essential and Fundamental views immunology in the context of everyday human life. Metaphors linking the content to popular culture and daily life help the student to think beyond the course material to view the subject holistically and in context. Throughout, this book endeavours to remind the reader that although immunology is an extremely specialised field, it must be viewed in the context of the human body, the individual, and socio-cultural milieu. It takes us beyond immunology as a compartmentalised field to place it in context and enrich our understanding of the big picture

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Innate immunity. 3. Complement. 4. Entities of the adaptive immune response: immunogens. 5. Entities of the adaptive immune response: the lymphoid system. 6. Molecules of adaptive immune recognition: lymphocyte receptors. 7. Molecules of adaptive immune recognition: antigen presenting molecules and antigen presentation. 8. B lymphocytes. 9. T lymphocytes. 10. Humoral immunity. 11. Cell-mediated immunity. 12. Immune tolerance. 13. Infections and the immune system. 14. Cancer and the immune system. 15. Autoimmunity. 16. Hypersensitivity. 16. . 17. Transplantation and transfusion immunology. Appendices. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.