Consortium biology in immunology: The perspective from the Immunological Genome Project

Yanan Zhu, Deborah Hendricks, Yosuke Kamimura, Gundula Min-Oo, Deborah Hendricks, Maelig Morvan, Yosuke Kamimura, Tsukasa Nabekura, Viola Lam, Charles Kim, Melanie Greter, Julie Helft, Andrew Chow, Milena Bogunovic, Arthur Mortha, Jeremy Price, Daigo Hashimoto, Jennifer Miller, Priyanka Sathe, Aleksey ChudnovskiyYonit Lavin, Juliana Idoyaga, Emmanuel Gautier, Claudia Jakubzick, June D'Angelo, Gwendolyn Randolph, Aviv Regev, Derrick Rossi, Taras Kreslawsky, Harald von Bohmer, Angelique Bellemare-Pelletier, Kutlu Elpek, Lotte Spelv, Anne Fletcher, Deepali Malhotra, Viviana Cremasco, Shannon Turley, Francis Kim, Tata Nageswara Rao, Amy Wagers,

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Although the field has a long collaborative tradition, immunology has made less use than genetics of 'consortium biology', wherein groups of investigators together tackle large integrated questions or problems. However, immunology is naturally suited to large-scale integrative and systems-level approaches, owing to the multicellular and adaptive nature of the cells it encompasses. Here, we discuss the value and drawbacks of this organization of research, in the context of the long-running 'big science' debate, and consider the opportunities that may exist for the immunology community. We position this analysis in light of our own experience, both positive and negative, as participants of the Immunological Genome Project.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)734-740
Number of pages7
JournalNature Reviews Immunology
Volume12
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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