• Question: What does immunopharmaclogist do and why

    Asked by Cheeky Monkey :) to Ross on 9 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Ross King

      Ross King answered on 9 Nov 2015:


      If we break down the word immunopharmacologist, we get two things. ‘Immuno’ is short for ‘immunology’, which is the study of the immune system. The immune system protects us from getting sick if we have an infection and can also protect us from injuries. A ‘pharmacologist’ is someone who studies how drugs work and how they react in the body to give their effects.

      So, if we put these two words together, an immunopharmacologist is a scientist who uses drugs to understand how the immune system works.

      We study immunopharmacology because the immune system is so important for us to stay alive – many people who have serious problems with their immune systems (they might be born with problems or get them later on in life) are at a very high risk of being very badly ill and even dying. So, if we study the immune system in more detail, perhaps then we can make new drugs to help protect people from simple infections (such as the cold) or more serious conditions.

      Hope this helps! 🙂

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