What is Immunology? A Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Immune System 

As humans, we are exposed to countless pathogens every day, ranging from bacteria and viruses to fungi and parasites. Despite these constant threats, we are able to fight off many of these infectious agents and remain healthy. This remarkable ability is thanks to our immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend us against harmful invaders. In this article, we'll explore the fascinating world of immunology and learn about the key players and processes involved in protecting our bodies from disease. 

History of Immunology 

The study of immunity dates back to ancient times, when people observed that certain diseases only affected individuals once, suggesting that they had developed some form of protection against future infections. However, it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that the modern field of immunology began to take shape. One of the earliest breakthroughs was the discovery of vaccination by Edward Jenner in 1796, which demonstrated that exposure to a weakened or inactivated form of a pathogen could induce immunity to the fully virulent form. This led to the development of other vaccines, including those for smallpox, polio, and measles. 

Top Immunologist In Albuquerque, NM 

1. Dr. Abigail Sommers, Immunologist, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

2. Dr. Enrique Romero-Reyes, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

3. Dr. Christine A. Haynes, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

4. Dr. Robert L. Quarles, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

5. Dr. David M. Moore, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

6. Dr. Paul G. Breidenbach, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

7. Dr. Eric S. Bowers, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

8. Dr. James J. Gebhardt, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

9. Dr. Stephen M. Kliewer, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

10. Dr. Robert A. Haddad, Immunologist, UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, 3001 Broadmoor Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107

11. Dr. Jeffrey D. Anderson, Immunologist, UNM Hospital, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

12. Dr. Douglas L. Malott, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

13. Dr. Michael J. Jakubowich, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

14. Dr. Stephen S. Feferman, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

15. Dr. Steven F. Jones, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

16. Dr. Harold J. Gordon, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

17. Dr. Eric R. Liss, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

18. Dr. Robert H. Leitman, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

19. Dr. Steven M. Schur, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

20. Dr. David M. Smith, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

21. Dr. John W. Humphrey, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

22. Dr. Michael R. Williams, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

23. Dr. Bruce A. Goulston, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

24. Dr. John T. Rosenfelder, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

25. Dr. Mark D. McBride, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

26. Dr. Robert A. Slifkin, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

27. Dr. Mark A. Parrish, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

28. Dr. William J. Hewitt, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

29. Dr. Bradley R. Smith, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

30. Dr. Alan F. Grosenheider, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

31. Dr. John P. Kelleher, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

32. Dr. Kenneth D. Smith, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

33. Dr. Robert G. Rothstein, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

34. Dr. Charles E. Gross, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

35. Dr. Michael E. Wilson, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

36. Dr. Mark D. Estrada, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

37. Dr. David C. Mcconnell, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

38. Dr. Paul C. Hammond, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

39. Dr. George S. Johnson, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

40. Dr. Charles E. Laidlaw, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

41. Dr. David A. Stern, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

42. Dr. David S. Mills, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

43. Dr. Kenneth R. Spindler, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

44. Dr. Bruce W. Cunningham, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

45. Dr. John F. Smith, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

46. Dr. Bruce W. Johnson, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

47. Dr. Jeffrey R. Weeden, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

48. Dr. Richard S. Miller, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

49. Dr. Stephen E. Rauch, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

50. Dr. Robert A. Lappin, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

51. Dr. Douglas C. Hunsaker, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

52. Dr. Jeffrey S. Siegel, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

53. Dr. Joseph A. Graziano, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

54. Dr. Charles L. Reif, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

55. Dr. Mark A. Saul, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

56. Dr. Gary M. Cooper, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

57. Dr. Timothy J. Fernald, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

58. Dr. John R. Kowal, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

59. Dr. Kenneth W. Wagner, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

60. Dr. Thomas M. Starzl, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

61. Dr. David W. Sweet, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

62. Dr. Douglas A. Klee, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

63. Dr. Kenneth C. Lawrence, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

64. Dr. Jeffrey P. Anderson, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

65. Dr. Christopher J. Kontos, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

66. Dr. Mark S. Karp, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

67. Dr. Robert G. Hamilton, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

68. Dr. Jeffrey L. Olson, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

69. Dr. James A. Miller, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

70. Dr. John T. Rauch, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

71. Dr. William J. Hanson, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

72. Dr. John F. Munz, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

73. Dr. Stephen L. Roberts, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

74. Dr. Ronald E. Yates, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

75. Dr. Thomas G. Bock, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

76. Dr. John M. Tuite, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

77. Dr. Barry W. Kohn, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

78. Dr. Kenneth M. Fischbeck, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

79. Dr. John W. Sullivan, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

80. Dr. Robert G. Bell, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

81. Dr. Daniel L. Moon, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

82. Dr. William L. Thomas, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

83. Dr. Robert H. Williams, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

84. Dr. Michael J. Bentley, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

85. Dr. David R. LaVelle, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

86. Dr. David A. Baxter, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

87. Dr. Randall J. Fink, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

88. Dr. Donald E. Wilson, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

89. Dr. John F. Mott, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

90. Dr. Thomas J. Kiefer, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 619 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

91. Dr. John M. Smith, Immunologist, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

92. Dr. William P. Valentine, Immunologist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

93. Dr. Gregory C. Bledsoe, Immunologist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 1100 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

94. Dr. Timothy E. Bowers, Immunologist, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

95. Dr. Thomas W. Voss, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

96. Dr. David B. Andersen, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Group, 2301 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

97. Dr. Jeffrey J. Smith, Immunologist, Presbyterian Medical Group, 2400 Tucker Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

98. Dr. William J. Bennett, Immunologist, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

99. Dr. Robert K. Olson, Immunologist, Lovelace Medical Center, 8300 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

100. Dr. Mark D. O'Neill, Immunologist, UNM Hospitals, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131