"Janeway's Immunobiology" is a comprehensive introductory text on the immune system, covering innate immunity to adaptive responses and their clinical implications. It is recognized for its clear writing, organization, full-color illustrations, scientific accuracy, and a consistent focus on host-environment interactions with harmful microbes.
The central thesis of this book is that the immune system exists to protect the host from infection and that its evolutionary history was shaped by this challenge. Other aspects of immunology (for example allergy, graft rejection etc) are variations on the basic protective function. The first part of the book summarises the basic immunological concepts and introduces the main "players". The middle three parts deal with main aspects of adaptive immunity. The last part integrates the material at the level of the complete organism in both health and disease.
Immunobiology, Sixth Edition guides the reader through the immune system in all its aspects - from the first engagement of innate immunity to the generation of the adaptive immune response and its clinical consequences. The Sixth Edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, and now includes end-of-chapter questions. Immunobiology sets the standard for currency and authority with its clear writing style and organization, full-color art program, scientific accuracy, frequent updates, and consistent viewpoint - that of the host's interaction with an environment containing many species of potentially harmful microorganisms.