Origin and Evolution of the Vertebrate Immune System

The book presents the most current knowledge, ideas and speculations about the origin of the adaptive immune system and its evolution. The accumulation of genetic, molecular and biological data across various classes of vertebrates and phyla within the animal kingdom has helped elucidate major elements of genetic conservation and specific variations on that theme. Several scenarios linking together genome evolution and the origin of receptors and the differentiation of lymphocyte lineage are now envisioned at a much more general and integrated level than ever before. The volume is a collection of chapters centered around the phylogeny of the immune system written by scientists who are at the forefront of research in the field. It presents a fresh mix of subjects and new approaches presented for the first time in form of reviews. Clearly not comprehensive, the book delineates the current and controversial issues in this area.