The branch of Developmental Immunology consists of two independent research groups. The immune system develops from hematopoietic precursor cells in the bone marrow. These precursors go through rounds of cell division and differentiation to give rise to the various different lymphoid and non-lymphoid lineages that go to make up the innate and adaptive immune systems.
Immunologists are investigating the origin and evolution of lymphoid organs and the adaptive immune system, the intestinal immune system, and adaptive and innate immunity with a focus on various aspects of immune tolerance. The immune system initiates its development far before birth within the fetus and because of this the development continues even after reaching adulthood. The capacity to react to antigens and foreign invaders is thus dependent on the Age of the person, Type of antigen, maternal factors, and Area of the body.