What the Body Knows – a Guide to our Immune System (John Trowsdale)
What is our immune system, and how does it work? A vast array of cells, proteins and chemicals spring into action whenever our bodies are damaged, but immunity is not something you can see, touch or feel. It can fight off malicious bacteria and viruses, locate cancerous growths, and even re-wire our brains – but sometimes our own tissues can get caught in its crossfire, with catastrophic consequences.

Humans may be the most disease-ridden animals on the planet. Professor John Trowsdale will discuss how the immune system protects us, and how our bodies invest huge resources to keep it running. Immunity influences how we age, and controls how we learn to fight off recurring diseases, and how our bodies respond to chronic conditions such as heart disease and dementia. But, in the case of allergies and autoimmune conditions, it can also easily get things wrong.

John Trowsdale is emeritus professor at the University of Cambridge, where he was Head of the Immunology Division, teaching students about immunity for over twenty years. Previously a researcher at Cancer Research UK, his work has been influential in understanding the genetics of immunity. He spent over 50 years in research publishing over 400 academic articles, including papers in Nature and Science. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2000 and a Fellow of Trinity Hall Cambridge in 2009.
Date: 2 June 2025, 15:15
Venue: Medical Sciences Teaching Centre, off South Parks Road OX1 3PL
Venue Details: Goss Lecture Theatre
Speakers: Speaker to be announced
Organising department: Medical Sciences Division
Organiser: Sally Pelling-Deeves (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: sally.pelling-deeves@medsci.ox.ac.uk
Host: Prof. Paul Klenerman (Peter Medawar Building, NDM, Oxford)
Booking required?: Not required
Cost: Free
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Sally Pelling-Deeves