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immunology

/ˈɪmjəˌnɑlədʒi/
/imjəˈnɒlɪdʒi/
IPA guide

Immunology is the science of body systems that protect against infection. It's thanks to immunology that we're able to treat and prevent so many diseases today.

Immunology is formed by adding the suffix -ology, or "science," to immune, or "exempt from a disease." Scientists and doctors who specialize in immunology study the way our immune systems function (and sometimes malfunction) as they work to defend us from viruses and bacteria. Immunologists are also instrumental in creating vaccines against new diseases and promising treatments like cancer immunotherapy, which boost the patient's own immune system.

Definitions of immunology
  1. noun
    the branch of medical science that studies the body's immune system
    see moresee less
    types:
    chemoimmunology, immunochemistry
    the field of chemistry concerned with chemical processes in immunology (such as chemical studies of antigens and antibodies)
    immunopathology
    the branch of immunology that deals with pathologies of the immune system
    type of:
    medical specialty, medicine
    the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
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