Systems Biology-Based Platforms to Accelerate Research of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Oh, Soo-Jin; Choi, Young-Ki; Shin, Ok Sarah

An understanding of EID pathogenesis begins with the investigation of the immune response to emerging pathogens. An immune response is the consequence of an intricate and elaborate network of a large number of specialized cells and organs operating over space and time. In response to pathogens, an immune system must orchestrate the complex interactions and activities of a large number of diverse cell types, thereby recognizing and eliminating the pathogens. The ability to respond quickly and effectively to control invading pathogens is achieved by both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Innate immunity provides a fast and immediate sensing of pathogens, whereas adaptive immunity is responsible for a late and long-lasting protective immune memory that is able to respond quickly to future infections. The major goal of vaccines is to mimic these naturally induced memory responses by training the immune system with altered forms of a pathogen or components of pathogens that do not cause illness. Therefore, the success of vaccination largely depends on the quality of vaccine-induced immunogenicity.