ASU News

A PhD candidate in biology has demonstrated that our immune system functions on multiple levels—ranging from the skin to intricate defense cells—and tirelessly wards off attacks from billions of microbes and viruses every second. This article will explain how our immune defense operates, how it distinguishes "enemies" without damaging our own tissues, what factors can lead to malfunctions and autoimmune diseases, and which simple yet effective preventive measures can help enhance overall health.

"The defense mechanism analyzes a whole range of parameters: the concentration of detected potentially dangerous molecules, their spatial distribution, duration of exposure, and the nature of changes in the environment. Thanks to this multi-layered approach, the system is able to quickly and effectively respond to real threats while minimizing the likelihood of false alarms. Immune cells don't identify a specific 'enemy' individually, but rather respond to a combination of suspicious molecular markers that are not characteristic of a healthy body," Dmitry Shumilov explained.