Today, we go to a spot that may be one of the most philosophical places in the universe:  the thymus, an organ that knows what is you, and what is not you. Its mood may be existential, but its role is practical — the thymus is the biological training ground where the body learns to protect itself from outside invaders (think: bacteria, coronaviruses). But this training is not the humdrum bit of science you might expect. It’s a magical shadowland with dire consequences. 
Then, we’ll leave the thymus to visit a team of doctors who are using this organ that protects you as a way to protect someone… else. Their work could change everything.
Special Thanks: 
One thousand thanks to Hannah Meyer, Salomé Carcy, Josh Torres, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories for showing us a real-life (mouse) thymus for this episode. Special thanks also go to Diane Mathis and Kate Webb.
Further reading:
Wanna do a little light reading? Here’s the immunology textbook Jenni Punt and Sharon Stranford helped write, including a whole section on that funny little thing called AIRE! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kuby-Immunology-Jenni-Punt/dp/1464189781/ref=asc_df_1464189781/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312091458201&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5208068676084181524&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004368&hvtargid=pla-525174969520&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63669393113&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312091458201&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5208068676084181524&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004368&hvtargid=pla-525174969520">Kuby Immunology</a> 
 
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