Glossary
Antigens: substances capable of inducing an immune response.
Autoimmune disease: Although the main purpose of the body's immune system is to fight infection, sometimes the immune system turns on the body itself, damaging parts of the body. The diseases produced when this occurs are called autoimmune diseases. Currently available evidence suggests that multiple sclerosis may be an autoimmune disease.
Combinatorial libraries: collections of thousands to billions of potential drugs or vaccines.
Immune function: This term refers to actions of the immune system. The immune system is a system within the body to fight infection, and has two main components: T-cells (or T-lymphocytes) and B-cells. T-cells are capable of killing organisms that the body recognizes as foreign. B-cells make a special type of protein called antibodies, that also attack foreign organisms.
Immunomodulators: Drugs or naturally occurring substances that change the activity of the body's immune system.
T Cells: Immune cells that destroy invading organisms and help other cells make antibodies.