Immunity – Friend and Foe topic of Southeastern Science on Tap presentation
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana Biologist Penny Shockett wants people to understand
that the human immune system does far more than fight infections and that microbes
play a much bigger role than making us sick.
A molecular immunologist in the Department of Biological Sciences, Shockett will
present the department’s next Science on Tap discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Scheduled
for 7 p.m. at Tope Lá Catering, 113 East Thomas St. in Hammond, the lecture is free
and open to all ages.
Her topic, “Why Immunity and Pathogens Are Our Frienemies” will present a slightly
different take on the role of the immune system and the pathogens that exist in the
human body.
“Often we think of the immune system as helpful in fighting infections, while
microbes make us sick. However, it is becoming clear that the immune system interacts
with many biological systems and can contribute to a variety of diseases,” she said.
Research indicates that microbes play many positive roles in the body and have
a major influence on development of the immune system, she explained. The talk will
give some basic background on the interesting mechanisms by which the immune system
develops and operates to clear pathogens and how microbes resist these defenses.
“We will also explore disease states in which the immune system causes harm and
how microbes can be beneficial, both naturally and in medicine,” she added.
For information on future Science on Tap presentations, contact the Department
of Biological Sciences at 985-549-3740.
