Dying to Live
How our Bodies Fight Disease

Popular science account of how millions of cells in our immune system die in fighting off infectious invaders.

Marion D. Kendall (Author)

9780521036559, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 April 2007

212 pages, 20 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.2 cm, 0.329 kg

'… a very readable popular science book.' British Society for Developmental Biology

How do our bodies fight disease? Written in clear accessible style this book gives an account of the inner workings of our immune systems. Aimed at the general reader it looks at fascinating areas of science including fever, AIDS and cancer. Central to the book, from which the title derives, is the idea that in the war against disease our bodies sacrifice millions of cells - antibodies and other specialized elements of the immune system. Only by pitting all manner of complex immune cells against such infectious agents can we continue to survive in the world. Of interest to anyone who has wondered what is really happening when we get ill and recover.

Introduction
Acknowledgements
Part I. Recognition: 1. Molecules of distinction
2. Distinctive families
3. Patterns of life
Part II. Reaction: 4. Repelling invaders
5. The fight begins
6. The main campaigns
Part III. Recovery: 7. Life after death
8. Survival of the fittest
9. Struggle for survival
10. The new millennium
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Popular science [PDZ]