Please click link here: BINS Neuroimmunology Discussion Presentation

I was lucky to give to a group of interested interdisciplinary sciences . I wanted to share this because I think neuro-immune signaling is one of the most fascinating fields and likely key for understanding behavior and aging. I find that the fact that aging is not linear in terms of healthspan, it needs an incredibly flexible system in order to maintain it (the immune system, but take that with a grain of salt as I’m an immunologist and biased :) ). One of my favorite questions I was asked during this discussion was "Are you saying that Alzheimer’s is transmissible?” . My favorite comment was about how we use the word “memory” to describe both cognitive and immunological systems: “Words have to mean something!”

I would love more and more of these interdisciplinary conversations like this, this is how I see the future of science. To do so we have to explain our jargon and that requires looking at the field from a more philosophical position (at least in my opinion!), where people are open to new ideas and collaborative thought. Where it’s assumed people have an interest but may not have the knowledge (it’s impossible to know everything despite us all pretending we do.

I’ve also been quite interested for some time in the relationship of C.albicans and neurodegeneration reading the work of Dr. Moir and Dr. Tanzi. Moreover, C. albicans is a common commensal bacteria that also demonstrates incredible flexibility to it’s environment (as is an aging human body). I also have been fascinated by neutrophils, for their TRAP capabilities, and Th17 cells, for no discernable reason except for their strange relationship with Th1 cells I can’t quite put my finger on yet. Anyway, enough musings for today!