This textbook aims to describe in a condensed form the essentials of molecular immunology behind bacterial infections, the microbiome, viral infections (such as influenza and COVID-19), organ transplantations, autoimmunity, allergy and tumor immunology. The book emphasizes the impact of immunology in maintaining our health and preventing disease. Our immune system protects us not only from severe consequences of infectious diseases and getting cancer, but is also able to harm us severely via sepsis, cytokine storms and anaphylactic shocks. Molecular understanding of immunology should allow the reader a more rational handling of common diseases, most of which are associated with chronic inflammation.

Carsten Carlberg graduated 1989 with a PhD in biochemistry at the Free University Berlin (Germany). After positions as postdoc at Roche (Basel, Switzerland), group leader at the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and docent at the University of Düsseldorf (Germany) he is since 2000 full professor of biochemistry at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio (Finland). His work focuses on mechanisms of gene regulation by nuclear hormones, in particular on vitamin D. At present Prof. Carlberg focuses projects on epigenome-wide effects of vitamin D on the human immune system in the context of cancer. Eunike Velleuer graduated 2006 as MD at the University of Düsseldorf (Germany) and specialized in 2016 in pediatric hemato-oncology. At present, she serves as senior physician at the Helios Children's Clinic Krefeld as well as a research associate at the University of Düsseldorf. Her special clinical focus is the cancer predisposition syndrome Fanconi anemia. Herein, her research interest is early detection and prevention of oral squamous cell carcinoma and identifying patients with Fanconi anemia at risk. Furthermore, Dr. Velleuer is interested in increasing patients resilience and find alternative ways for long-lasting empowerment.