Immunobiology of the Shark

Sharks belong to the oldest vertebrate species that possess immune systems similar to that of mammals. This makes them a great model species to study the fundamentals of the mammalian immune system. This book describes the cellular, genetic, and molecular specifics of immune systems in sharks and uses them to understand shark immunity as well as the evolution of immune systems in more recently-evolved vertebrates. Written by global experts, the book will be a resource for immunologists, geneticists, ecologists, evolutionary and conservation biologists, and investigators engaged in shark research.

Immunity studies in sharks over the past three decades have produced some remarkable discoveries. If one message rings true, it is that alternative animal model systems, such as sharks and their relatives, have contributed very substantially to a better understanding of the development evolution of our own immune system.

Immunobiology of the Shark describes the cellular, genetic, and molecular specifics of immune systems in sharks. Diverse approaches were employed to study the immunobiology of the shark from basic microscopic observations to detailed genome annotation. The book also raises a series of fascinating questions, which can be addressed experimentally using today’s technology.

This book will be a valuable resource for mainstream immunologists, comparative immunologists, geneticists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and investigators engaged in shark research. The book also aims to illustrate the magnificence of these animals as model systems and underscores the importance of their study to further understand their complex, and often enigmatic, biology.