Over the last half century, a dramatic increase in the incidence of chronic inflammatory
diseases, such as asthma, allergy, and irritable bowel syndrome, has rightfully led to
concern about how the modern lifestyle might inappropriately trigger innate physiologic
defense mechanisms. Health care research in the Western world is faced with a significant
challenge if it is to meet the needs of its populations in the decades ahead. The tools with
which we hope to advance our understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of …