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The body’s first line of defence

Your body has a two-line defence system against pathogens (germs) that make you sick. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites and fungi. Rights: Ian Wilson Boy with grazed elbow ...

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ARTICLE

The body’s second line of defence

If the pathogens are able to get past the first line of defence, for example, through a cut in your skin, and an infection develops, the second line of defence becomes active. Through a sequence ...

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ARTICLE

Immunisation in New Zealand

Immunisation can protect people against harmful diseases. The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora advocates that it is one of the most effective and cost-effective medical interventions to prevent ...

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ACTIVITY

Ethical dilemmas in fighting infection

In this activity, students explore ethical issues related to fighting infection. Students learn about the science involved and the associated ethical dilemmas. They have opportunities to discuss ...

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ACTIVITY

Inside a cell

In this activity, students learn about the contents of a cell. They explore some of the main organelles within a cell using the analogy of a school, an online interactive and/or by making ...

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ACTIVITY

The wars within

In this activity, students are introduced to the immune system. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: explain in simple terms what the immune system is list some of the names ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Infection Inspection

Help this global project to develop a faster test for antibiotic resistance by looking inside bacteria that have been treated with antibiotics. This will improve healthcare for patients with ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Etch a Cell – Zooniverse

In this online citizen science (OCS) project, participants analyse electron microscope images taken of a range of biological samples, helping scientists better understand cancer, infectious ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Stall Catchers

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In this online ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection

Winter is coming!! And so are coughs, colds and other nasty lurgies. What is going on in our bodies? How do we get sick? How do our bodies fight these bugs? In this online PD session recorded on ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection, the immune system – unit plan

Our bodies have a defence system against pathogens that make us sick. This defence system is made up of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect us. It is known as the immune ...

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TEACHER PLD

Antimicrobial resistance – a context for learning

Modern antibiotic medicines came into use in the middle of the 20th century. They enabled doctors to treat serious – and sometimes fatal – bacterial infections like strep throat and pneumonia ...

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VIDEO

What is snot?

Dr Joanna Kirman talks about snot. Although it seems disgusting, we learn snot is actually a good thing and is one of our weapons to fight disease. It is produced to clear the airways of ...

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VIDEO

The body’s defence

Professor Graham Le Gros from the Malaghan Institute explains the body’s defence system. He talks about the first line of defence, which involves the skin barrier. He then talks about how ...

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VIDEO

Rotavirus

Dr Joanna Kirman leads a team at the Malaghan Institute investigating rotavirus. Rotavirus is a common but nasty disease that affects young children. The problem is that there are many different ...

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INTERACTIVE

Processing pig cells for transplant

An overview of the process used to make a pig cell transplant treatment for type 1 diabetes.

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INTERACTIVE

Quality control for processing pig cells for transplant

An overview of the quality control checks used within the process to make a pig cell transplant treatment for type 1 diabetes.

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INTERACTIVE

Moisture sources in our homes

Common household activities like cooking, cleaning and bathing produce moisture in our homes. Cold, damp houses can have serious effects on our health. Find out what causes moisture and how to ...

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