September 28, 2012

Macrophages, Tuberculosis and Granulomas: A Video Tutorial

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

How much do you really know about Tuberculosis, otherwise commonly called TB? The University of Michigan Department of Engineering (friendly rival to my home U of Illinois) has put out a very accessible animated tutorial so you can learn more.

Check it out:

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

This video is included as a comprehensive article entitled "Peering into the black box of Tuberculosis" discussing TB as a worldwide problem and what some U-M researchers are doing to help understand the disease more fully.

If you are completely lost as to what a macrophage is, much less a granuloma, allow me to turn your attention to one of the videos in my series, Blood Cell Bakery, where I use expertly decorated cookies to demonstrate all of the different types of blood cells in their morphology (appearance) and function. This one discusses monocytes and their differentiated state, the macrophage.

Image courtesy of U-M

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American