Biology students across United States and Canada to learn about the immune system in 1996 Holiday Lectures

Biology students across the United States and Canada will learn about one of the hottest topics in biomedical research--immunology--when the Howard Hughes Medical Institute presents its annual Holiday Lectures on Science on December 9 and 10. The lectures will be broadcast via satellite to students and educators throughout the United States and Canada as a free public service of the Institute, the nation's largest philanthropy.

Dr. John W. Kappler and Dr. Philippa Marrack , Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators and members of the Department of Medicine at the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado, will present four exciting one-hour lectures on "The Immune System--Friend and Foe."

Dr. Kappler will begin by explaining the events that allow each lymphocyte to bear a different receptor, and later will describe the processes that destroy potentially autoreactive lymphocytes. Dr. Marrack will explain the different ways that receptors recognize invading organisms and describe how some infectious agents avoid being destroyed by the immune system. The lectures will include dramatic illustrations and hands-on demonstrations that help biology students and other viewers to gain a new understanding of the immune system.

Educators who register their schools for the lectures will receive a comprehensive package of free background materials. For more information on the Holiday Lectures on Science, including registration information, program schedules and descriptions, and satellite coordinates, educators should call 1-800-219-7874.