Expanding the Immune Galaxy: Albumin as an Immune Surveillance Molecule

Current thinking in immunology is that immune cells are the key players responsible for transport and clearance of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, with serum proteins given a supporting role of coating the pathogen for cellular recognition. We propose a brand-new immune concept that  implies that the serum protein albumin acts as an immune surveillance molecule that scouts for pathogenic material and actively transports it around the body to immune cells to trigger immunity. This Villum Experiment will conduct investigations into albumin binding to pathogenic material and induction of cell immunity needed to support this novel concept. Identification of a new immune detection component in the body transforms our basic understanding of immunology and pathogenic recognition, and identifies a new key player in the immune system galaxy, paving the way for a new way of thinking and research in immunology.