Immune cells

Every day, billions of specialised cells work to protect your body from harm. From the common cold and infections to cuts and scrapes or cancerous cells, our bodies deal with a range of potential threats and risks as we move through the world. The immune system is a complex and carefully orchestrated network connecting organs, tissues, and billions of specialised cells. Those cells have a variety of different roles as they respond to pathogens or harm, including engulfing microbes, identifying damage, or producing antibodies. Misha Glenny and his guests examine the different types of cells involved in an immune response, how they know what to respond to, and what happens when those cells aren’t working as they should. This In Our Time episode discusses why our immune cells are vital to life – both for us as individuals, and as a species. The discussion explores the interconnected nature of the immune system, and what we know actually affects the way our immune cells function.

With

Sheena Cruickshank
Professor of Immunology at the University of Manchester

Dan Davis
Author and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London

And

Emily Gwyer Findlay
Professor of Inflammation Biology at the University of Southampton

Producer: Martha Owen

In Our Time is a BBC Studios production

A world-class seminar every week. Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.