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Fighting infection – introduction

We all get sick from time to time. Wintertime, in particular, brings with it colds and flus. Rights: Image licensed through 123rf.com Sick child We all get sick from time to time and don’t feel ...

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ARTICLE

The body’s second line of defence

If the pathogens are able to get past the first line of defence, for example, through a cut in your skin, and an infection develops, the second line of defence becomes active. Through a sequence ...

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ARTICLE

Vaccines and therapies

Vaccines and therapies for infectious diseases have saved many lives. Control of many infectious diseases has been one of medicine’s greatest accomplishments. Before the 20th century, infectious ...

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ACTIVITY

Inside a cell

In this activity, students learn about the contents of a cell. They explore some of the main organelles within a cell using the analogy of a school, an online interactive and/or by making ...

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ACTIVITY

The wars within

In this activity, students are introduced to the immune system. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: explain in simple terms what the immune system is list some of the names ...

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ACTIVITY

Spreading diseases

In this activity, students model how a virus spreads through a group. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: explain how viruses are spread practise behaviours that limit the ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Infection Inspection

Help this global project to develop a faster test for antibiotic resistance by looking inside bacteria that have been treated with antibiotics. This will improve healthcare for patients with ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Etch a Cell – Zooniverse

In this online citizen science (OCS) project, participants analyse electron microscope images taken of a range of biological samples, helping scientists better understand cancer, infectious ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Myrtle Rust Reporter

Myrtle rust is a serious biosecurity threat, and help is needed to monitor its spread. This citizen science project aims to gather information on the location, hosts and intensity of this fungal ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection, the immune system – unit plan

Our bodies have a defence system against pathogens that make us sick. This defence system is made up of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect us. It is known as the immune ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection: reducing infection – unit plan

We all get sick from time to time, especially over the winter months. The classroom, in particular, seems to be a breeding ground for coughs, colds and flu. How do we get sick? Why do a number of ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection

Winter is coming!! And so are coughs, colds and other nasty lurgies. What is going on in our bodies? How do we get sick? How do our bodies fight these bugs? In this online PD session recorded on ...

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VIDEO

The body’s defence

Professor Graham Le Gros from the Malaghan Institute explains the body’s defence system. He talks about the first line of defence, which involves the skin barrier. He then talks about how ...

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VIDEO

Virus replication

Different viruses infect cells in different ways. In this animated video, a virus infects an animal cell through a process called endocytosis. Once in the cell, the virus can replicate itself ...

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VIDEO

What are viruses?

Dr Wendy Williamson of ESR’s water management team explains that viruses are extremely small infectious particles that need to infect cells in order to replicate themselves. Viruses infect every ...

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SLIDESHOW

Cells in 3D – slideshow

Use this slideshow for viewing with 3D glasses. Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download option.

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INTERACTIVE

The immune system

This interactive explains the different cells, microorganisms and molecules involved in the human immune system.

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INTERACTIVE

The immune system in action

This interactive is a simple version of the human immune response to two different pathogens.

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