Guest Author - Alegra Bartzat

Immunology is a branch of biology and medicine, which is the study of the immune system. Though doctors (M.D.s and D.O.s) who study immunology focus only on the human immune system, the study of immunology covers all animals.

Immunology studies the immune system both in times of disease and times of health; the physiology of the immune system is complex, and this science aims to understand it.

Immunological disorders are an important aspect of immunology. This includes, but is not limited to, autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency, graft and implant rejection, even many allergies!

The history of immunology goes back to the ancient Chinese. They are credited with "variolation" (a precursor to vaccination/immunization), in which people were exposed to mild forms of disease in order to prevent suffering from more harsh or dangerous forms of the same disease. For example, Small Pox comes in many strains and the Chinese would expose many people to the weaker strains to prevent them from suffering the stronger strains.

The major professional journal of immunology is appropriately named "The Journal of Immunology."

Professionals around the world have many societies they may consider joining, such as:

American Association of Immunologists
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
Texas Allergy and Immunology Society
The International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research
Allergy Society of South Africa
Argentinian Association for Allergy and Immunology
The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
British Society for Immunology
European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology
International Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Mexican Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society
Spanish Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

One thing to consider if you are thinking about a career in immunology, particularly immunological research: You will be killing mice, lots of mice. Immunological studies use mice to test drugs and reactions to diseases.