The immune system explained

Immunokru is a series of eight augmented reality artworks exploring the complexity of the human immune system. By understanding this complexity, researchers have created a variety of treatments that can boost or enhance our own immune systems to fight disease. This includes the creation of cancer immunotherapies that have significantly improved the survival of late-stage cancer patients; a discovery that was subsequently awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 2018.

To celebrate International Day of Immunology (Friday April 29th 2022), we will be releasing a new augmented reality immune-cell character each day from Friday April 21st. Head to this landing page and follow the instructions below to see your immune-cell characers come alive. Which immune-cell is your favourite?

Instructions

 

Activate the Gallery

1) Download the Eyejack app by scanning this QR code with your smart device.

2) Open the Eyejack camera within the app (bottom left icon) and scan this QR code again.

3) Point the Eyejack camera at the artwork below to see augmented reality.

Note you will need two devices to see the augmented reality: One screen to display the artwork on this webpage (we suggest using a desktop), and a smart device with the Eyejack app installed.

Macrophages surround and eat harmful organisms (virus, bacteria) or cancerous cells by a process called phagocytosis. They also stimulate and recruit nearby immune cells to the area through release of cytokines.

Macrophages surround and eat harmful organisms (virus, bacteria) or cancerous cells by a process called phagocytosis. They also stimulate and recruit nearby immune cells to the area through release of cytokines.

Dendritic Cells (DCs) can uptake specific molecules (antigens) from harmful organisms or cancerous cells and present them to CD4, CD8 and B cells and activate them.

Dendritic Cells (DCs) can uptake specific molecules (antigens) from harmful organisms or cancerous cells and present them to CD4, CD8 and B cells and activate them.

CD4 T cells help other immune cells by activating them; this includes CD8 T cells (cells responsible for killing infections and cancers) and B cells (those responsible for generating long term immune responses).

CD4 T cells help other immune cells by activating them; this includes CD8 T cells (cells responsible for killing infections and cancers) and B cells (those responsible for generating long term immune responses).

CD8 T cells directly interact and kill infected or cancerous cells. Too much exposure to harmful organisms or tumour cells can make them exhausted. CD8's use Perforins to create pores within the cell surface of invaders or cancer cells. Granzymes the

CD8 T cells directly interact and kill infected or cancerous cells. Too much exposure to harmful organisms or tumour cells can make them exhausted. CD8's use Perforins to create pores within the cell surface of invaders or cancer cells. Granzymes then travel through these pores to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis).

B cells are responsible for generating antibodies to specific antigens. By memorising the antigen, B cells can initiate a stronger and more rapid immune response next time the body needs to fight an infection or cancer.

B cells are responsible for generating antibodies to specific antigens. By memorising the antigen, B cells can initiate a stronger and more rapid immune response next time the body needs to fight an infection or cancer.

Natural killer (NK) cells, like CD8 T cells, directly interact and kill infected or cancerous cells. Their functions are, however, much faster and can be antigen independent.

Natural killer (NK) cells, like CD8 T cells, directly interact and kill infected or cancerous cells. Their functions are, however, much faster and can be antigen independent.

The immune system is complex. However, by understanding it, scientists have been able to improve therapies for a variety of diseases. This includes immunotherapy, a treatment that uses your own immune system to kill cancer. This discovery has had suc

The immune system is complex. However, by understanding it, scientists have been able to improve therapies for a variety of diseases. This includes immunotherapy, a treatment that uses your own immune system to kill cancer. This discovery has had such a profound effect in how we treat cancers, cancer immunotherapies received the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Monocytes circulate in the bloodstream and evolve to other mature immune cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) after entering tissues.

Monocytes circulate in the bloodstream and evolve to other mature immune cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) after entering tissues.

Collaborating Team

  • Dr Ken Dutton-Regester

    Project Lead: Founder of Excite Science and Cancer Researcher

    Biography

  • Xan Townsend

    Artist: 3D & VR Artist, Academic, and Director at Misfit VR.

    Biography

  • Dr Momeneh Foroutan

    Scientific Expert: Computational Biologist & Cancer Immunotherapy

    Biography

  • Dr Alyce Mayfosh

    Scientific Expert: Tiktok Content Creator and Project Manager

    Biography

Sponsor

The Immunokru series of artworks is proudly supported through the Brisbane City Council Innovation Fund