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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis
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Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis

Published on: July 26, 2018

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Kunkel Lecture: Fundamental immunodeficiency and its correction.

Carl Nathan1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY cnathan@med.cornell.edu.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|July 14, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Fundamental immunodeficiency, a near-universal susceptibility to infection, is countered by "adopted immunity." This immunity relies on sanitation, nutrition, vaccines, and antimicrobial agents, with a critical need to bolster failing antimicrobial strategies.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Fundamental immunodeficiency describes the inherent inability of an individual's immune system to protect against all life-threatening infections.
  • Unlike rare primary immunodeficiencies, this vulnerability is nearly universal, stemming from variations in the genes of infectious agents rather than host genes.
  • Adopted immunity, a concept distinct from adaptive or adoptive immunity, is crucial for human survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define "fundamental immunodeficiency" and introduce the concept of "adopted immunity."
  • To highlight the societal contributions to adopted immunity: sanitation, nutrition, vaccines, and antimicrobial agents.
  • To emphasize the declining efficacy of antimicrobial agents within adopted immunity and propose a role for immunologists.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis
09:04

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis

Published on: July 26, 2018

8.2K

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of host-pathogen interactions and immune system limitations.
  • Review of public health interventions contributing to species survival.
  • Comparative assessment of vaccine development versus antimicrobial agent research.

Main Results:

  • Fundamental immunodeficiency is a widespread challenge, not a rare genetic disorder.
  • Adopted immunity is built upon societal advancements, with vaccines being a thriving area of immunological focus.
  • The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents, a cornerstone of adopted immunity, is critically failing.

Conclusions:

  • Immunologists should actively contribute to the development of new antimicrobial agents.
  • Research into antimicrobial agents can reveal novel targets and mechanisms for host immunity.
  • Strengthening adopted immunity requires renewed focus on the development and application of effective antimicrobial strategies.