Immune system fundamentals

Abstract

We analyze the biological background of Artificial Immune Systems, namely the physiology of the immune system of vertebrate organisms. The relevant literature review outlines the major components and the fundamental principles governing the operation of the adaptive immune system, with emphasis on those characteristics of the adaptive immune system that are of particular interest from a computation point of view. The fundamental principles of the adaptive immune system are given by the following theories: • Immune Network Theory, • Clonal Selection Theory, and • Negative Selection Theory, which are briefly analyzed in this chapter.