8.592 - HST.452J (Fall 2025)

Statistical Physics in Biology

Lecture 19

Adaptive immune system (II)

B cells & Affinity Maturation

• The adaptive immune system: B cells, T cells- diverse, self-tolerant, and specific
• Following infection, B cell receptors are released as Antibodies targeting specific pathogens (Antigens):

• Affinity Maturation takes place in Germinal Centers formed in lymph nodes

• Broadly neutralizing antibodies  
• From Arup Chakraborty's presentation on Omicron and vaccine dosing

(Chapter 5 of book by Arup Chakraborty)