When all is said and done

Dr. Benacerraf describes his experience in training immunologists for a period of over 30 years. He then analyzes the circumstances in which selected discoveries were made in his laboratory and the events and reasoning that led to these findings. The following topics are discussed: The phagocytic activity of the reticulo-endothelial system. The pathogenesis of immune complex diseases. The impact of activated macrophages on tumor rejection. The evidence that T-cell immunity is specific for internal protein determinants generated by antigen processing. The maturation of the antibody response in terms of antibody affinity. The discovery of Ir gene control of specific immune responses and the role of MHC molecules as presenters of peptide antigens to T cells. The generation of alloreactivity. Lastly, he addresses the administration of science and, particularly, the problems related to the transfer of technology to industrial partners.