Niels K. Jerne

Niels K. Jerne was a renowned immunologist who made significant contributions to understanding how the immune system recognizes and defends against pathogens. He proposed the "network theory," suggesting that immune cells communicate through a complex system of signals, forming a dynamic network that balances defense and tolerance. This influential idea helped explain the immune system’s adaptability and memory. Jerne's work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1984, shared with others, for advancing our understanding of immune regulation and the development of immune responses.