A group of students from Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram participated in High School ImmunoDay, an enriching scientific outreach programme organised by the BRIC–National Institute of Immunology (BRIC–NII) on 12 December 2025. Co-hosted with the organisers of Global ImmunoCourses, part of the internationally acclaimed Global ImmunoTalks initiative, the event provided students a rare opportunity to explore the fascinating world of immunology through expert talks, hands-on activities, and a guided laboratory tour.
Inaugural Address and Thematic Sessions
The programme began with a warm welcome address by Dr. Debasisa Mohanty, Director of National Institute of Immunology who highlighted the importance of scientific curiosity and early exposure to research disciplines like Immunology.
This was followed by an engaging session titled “Journey to Immunity: The Secret World Inside You” by Dr. Nimesh Gupta. He introduced students to:
- What immunology is
- What infections are and how pathogens invade the body
- The “chain of transmission”
- The immune system as the body’s chief guard
- The difference between primary and secondary infection
Dr. Gupta also shed light on groundbreaking immunological discoveries acknowledged by the Nobel Prize, and introduced 2025 Nobel laureates:
- Mary E. Brunco (Seattle, USA)
- Fred Ramsdell (San Francisco, USA)
- Shimon Sakaguchi (Osaka, Japan)
He concluded by emphasising healthy habits that strengthen immunity—good sleep, nutritious food, regular exercise, proper hygiene, and vaccination.
Deep Dive into Immunity and Viruses
The next session was conducted by Dr. Carla Rothlin (Director, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota; President-Elect, International Union of Immunological Societies). She explained:
- What viruses are and how their genomes work
- How viruses replicate within the host
- How infections develop
- The three stages of immune response: recognition, response, remembering
Key immunological terms—pathogen, antigen, antibody—were introduced, followed by an explanation of antibody structure and function.
Interactive Hands-On Activities
Students then participated in a highly engaging activity on antibody specificity. They constructed model antibodies and tested how well they could bind to corresponding viral antigens.
Using a specially designed worksheet, students explored:
- Innate vs. adaptive immunity
- How B cells recognise antigens
- How immunological memory works (with the help of a graph)
- How vaccines protect individuals and entire communities
Understanding Herd Immunity
A collaborative game helped demonstrate how infections spread in a community:
- When no one is immunised
- When 95% of the population is immunised
The concept of herd immunity was illustrated vividly, highlighting its importance for protecting immunocompromised individuals such as HIV-positive patients, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and organ transplant recipients.
The experts encouraged students to pursue scientific careers, noting that the world still needs effective vaccines for diseases like malaria, dengue, HIV, and several emerging pathogens.
Campus Tour
The programme concluded with a guided tour of the NII research facilities. Students visited:
- Animal housing units for mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs
- Macaque facilities for advanced immunological and vaccine studies
This firsthand exposure helped students appreciate how core biological research leads to major breakthroughs in medicine.
Participants
A total of 15 students from Classes VIII and IX participated:
Class VIII
- Siddhi Rawat (VIII-D)
- Medha Menon (VIII-G)
- Samaira Shah (VIII-I)
- Aadvik Jain (VIII-G)
Class IX
- Atharv (IX-A)
- Bhawna Yadav (IX-B)
- Rida Ahmad (IX-C)
- Mehar Talashi (IX-D)
- Tanushree Juyal (IX-E)
- Arkojeet Choudhri (IX-H)
- Aadish Chandra (IX-I)
- Dhriti (IX-K)
- Katyayani Chugh (IX-N)
- Ashlen Verma (IX-M)
- Abhay (IX-O)
The High School ImmunoDay proved to be a powerful educational experience—informative, interactive, and inspiring. Students returned with deeper scientific understanding, renewed curiosity, and a stronger appreciation for immunology and its role in human health.Under the able guidance of Ms. Niva Chhonkar, HOD Biology, and with the coordination of Ms. Dimple Menon, the students were able to attend this insightful session.