With vacuum cleaners and gloves against viruses

Abstract

The humoral and cellular immune response to an infection is highly complex. With the help of self-made and appealing models, the essential characteristics of the immune defense are imparted in a clear and comprehensible way to learners from the 7th grade onwards and to scientifically interested laymen. The three most important cells of the immune defense system – B cells, killer cells and T helper cells – are used as comic-like models made of ­styrofoam balls and papier-mâché. A modified vacuum cleaner serves as model for scavenger cells (macrophages), hands function as antigens and mittens of different sizes represent antibodies. With the help of a flexible wooden hand, mutations of viral surface proteins are made clear. How an antibody and an antigen test work in principle is demonstrated by hands of shop window mannequins fastened on to a wooden board, mittens and luminous clothes pegs.