Monthly Archives: November 2020

Alien Antigens and the Antibody Repertoire



In this episode, Aideen and Julian talk about how antibodies contribute to making humans resilient to foreign pathogens. The episode starts by entertaining the possibility of a microscopic alien invasion to show generally how immunology can play a role in a variety of fields, including space travel. We cover the genetic basis for the diversity and specificity of antibodies responsible for eliminating disease-causing agents. Additionally, we talk about how antibodies can be useful even outside our bodies, such as in a laboratory setting. We close the discussion by touching on the relevance of antibodies as scientists search for new COVID-19 treatments and prevention methods.