Immune cells

29 Oct, 2026 570 Biology

Every day, billions of specialised cells work to protect your body from harm. From the common cold and infections to cuts and scrapes or cancerous cells, our bodies deal with a range of potential threats and risks as we move through the world. The immune system is a complex and carefully orchestrated network connecting organs, tissues, and billions of specialised cells. Those cells have a variety of different roles as they respond to pathogens or harm, including engulfing microbes, identifying damage, or producing antibodies. Misha Glenny and his guests examine the different types of cells involved in an immune response, how they know what to respond to, and what happens when those cells aren’t working as they should. This In Our Time episode discusses why our immune cells are vital to life - both for us as individuals, and as a species. The discussion explores the interconnected nature of the immune system, and what we know actually affects the way our immune cells function.

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Guests

  • Sheena Cruickshank No other episodes
    Professor of Immunology at the University of Manchester
  • Dan Davis No other episodes
    Author and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London
  • Emily Gwyer Findlay No other episodes
    Professor of Inflammation Biology at the University of Southampton

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Programme ID: m0033g1x

Episode page: bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0033g1x

Auto-category: 571.96 (Immunology)