Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Understanding Immunity

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 25, 2010

1. Understanding Immunity Marker

Inscription. In the mid-1940s University of Wisconsin geneticist Ray Owen noticed a surprising fact about non-identical cattle twins. Each twin had two kinds of blood cells, its own and those of its twin. In ordinary transfusions, such mixing of blood cells often leads to sever immunological reaction. Owen realized that when bloods are exchanged early in development, each twin somehow learns to tolerate the other's cells. This discovery of "immune tolerance" helped to explain how an organism can tell its own cells from foreign ones, and fueled a revolution in immunology. The nature of immune tolerance is central to studies of organ transplantation, cancer, and autoimmune disease.

Erected 2001 by UW Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Wisconsin series list.

Location. 43° 4.567′ N, 89° 24.948′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of Linden Drive and Observatory Drive, on the right when traveling north on Linden Drive. The marker is on the west side of the Animal Science Building on the University of Wisconsin campus.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Revolutionizing Animal Reproduction (within shouting distance of this marker); Preventing Endemic Goiter (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovering Vitamins and Trace Minerals (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scientific Approach to Agriculture (about 400 feet away); Disease-Resistant Plants (about 700 feet away); First Reliable Test of Milk Quality (about 800 feet away); The Land Ethic (approx. 0.2 miles away); University of Wisconsin Dairy Barn (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 25, 2010

2. Understanding Immunity Marker

The marker is on the right, in front of the Animal Science Building.

Agricultural Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 25, 2010

3. Agricultural Hall

According to the UW web site, "Built in 1902, Agricultural Hall was designed as the administrative and research home of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The building remains almost entirely unmodified and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985."

Auditorium and Library, Hall of Agriculture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

4. Auditorium and Library, Hall of Agriculture

Back entrance to Agricultural Hall

Detail on Agricultural Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

5. Detail on Agricultural Hall

Symbol of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 8, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.