The Ways and Means of the Immune System: I Like Being a Scientist?

Friday, March 7, 2008

I Like Being a Scientist?

Something interesting happened to me recently. I've had a busy few months: I went to India, for a wedding (mine), came back to the US and to work. Pounded out a bunch of experiments before I left and few since I returned. Struggled badly with jetlag (it only gets worse!), cultural disaffection, being tired and ill, loads of pressure from the boss and truly pernicious lethargy.

And now I want to work. I want to do experiments, read immunology, gossip about science. I even looked up job openings in India, because I think I want to start my own lab there. I want to keep being a scientist.

It's difficult, rarely rewarding, massively underpaid and a niche profession if I ever heard of one. My job prospects in my home country are limited, to say the least, aside from the fact that I have never actually worked in India. I have done all my research in the States and am, for all practical purposes, an American scientist. I have a new husband and our busy life together. I need some sexy papers, and some powerful, original ideas. I need to push and slog and labour till I can't stand it anymore and my family can't stand it anymore.

Why would I do this? I guess its because I really like being a scientist.
Who knew.

7 comments:

post-doc said...: Well, congratulations! I didn't know you were getting married! I think it's lovely that you enjoy your work and very much hope things work out so that you can form your own lab wherever you'd like.; March 7, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Mad Hatter said...: Wow...congratulations!!! That is big news! Welcome back.; March 8, 2008 at 5:09 AM
Veo Claramente said...: Thank you :) Last year went by so fast its been hard for me to register all the things that have happened.; March 9, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Cath@VWXYNot? said...: Good to see you back! I think I started reading your blog just as you took your break, so I'm glad I'll get to see some new content.

Congratulations on your marriage too!; March 13, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Anonymous said...: Congratulations! Do keep blogging...your "i love science" posts always show up when I need to read them. :)

and i very much echo your thoughts about finding a spot to work in India..; March 14, 2008 at 7:32 AM
Veo Claramente said...: CAE: Nice to "meet" you, and thanks for sticking around through the hiatus.

Girl: I'm so glad! I hope they are more frequent now...; March 14, 2008 at 7:45 AM
Amelie said...: Congratulations! That's a lot of news!
It's so great to see you so happy with science -- hope the A cells comply soon.; March 14, 2008 at 8:35 AM

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Welcome and Disclaimer

I am writing here to express my interest in the wide variety of research that goes on in Immunology today. I am NOT a medical professional, and I do not offer medical advice. These are just my personal opinions, formed by the reading of published journal papers. They are not representative of anything other than my private personal opinions. I do not endorse or revile any journal or group or university or researcher. They are shaped by my background in research, and my specialties. I am not omniscient, so I do not know or understand everything. Enjoy!

The Vocabulary

An Antigen is any molecule that is recognized by the specialized cells of the immune system, usually by antigen receptors on the surfaces of these cells. Antigens are picked up and displayed by other specialized cells called antigen presenting cells. Antigens can be recognized by two broad categories of cells, T cells and B cells. T cells detect antigens through an antigen receptor called the T cell receptor, but only when these antigens are bound to antigen presenting molecules called MHC molecules. MHC proteins carrying antigens are found on the surface of antigen presenting cells. B cells make antibodies, which also recognize antigens. Once a B cell recognizes antigens through its antigen receptor, the antibody, it makes many many more of the same antibody and secretes , or spits them out, into the body so that they circulate throught the body. Naive B or T cells are cells that have never seen an antigen, and activated cells are those that have. Effector cells are those cells that have seen antigen and can do something about it, like kill that the cell carrying the antigen. Memory cells are cells that retain a memory of their encounter with an antigen, and can react faster and more effectively the next time they see the same antigen. The immune system consists of a few major lymphoid organs: the thymus, where T cells are made; the bone marrow, where all cells originate; the spleen, where many effector cells reside; and the lymph nodes, which are present at multiple sites throughout the body. Immunes cells spend their lives whizzing around between these various organs in various states of activation. A pathogen is any organism that infects a host, they can be bacteria, viruses or parasites.