SAVILE SCIENCE – SELF DEFENCE: A MYTH-BUSTING GUIDE TO IMMUNE HEALTH – PROFESSOR DANIEL M. DAVIS. CHAIRED BY SAVILIAN CLIFF COLLIS

We are surrounded by bold claims and quick fixes for improving our immune systems. In this expert guide, leading immunologist Daniel M. Davis sorts the fact from fiction. Is it true that orange juice can help ward off colds? How does age affect our immune system? Is mental health really connected to inflammation? How do we separate the bogus claims from the useful advice? And given its sheer complexity, is there anything we can do to improve our immune system? World-renowned immunologist Daniel M. Davis examines the effects of stress, diet, age, exercise, the microbiome and more on the immune system, punctures the key myths, and equips us to make informed choices for ourselves. ‘Brilliant. Will change the way you think about your body and live your life’ CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN. ‘A world expert offers practical tips and dispels many myths’ TIM SPECTOR. ‘The best book on immune health I have ever read’ ALICE ROBERTS. ‘Utterly absorbing. Nearly every paragraph brings a revelation’ BILL BRYSON.

Daniel M. Davis is Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. His research using microscopy has helped pioneer the nanoscale biology of immune cell recognition and the immune synapse. He has published over 150 scientific papers and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He is also the author of several books published by Penguin Random House including The Beautiful Cure (a Book of the Year in the Times, Telegraph and New Scientist, translated into 15 languages); The Secret Body and Self Defence: A Myth-busting Guide to Immune Health. In 2025, he was awarded an MBE for services to science communication.

Cliff Collis has a wide background in science with a doctorate in fish neurophysiology and researching in and teaching physiology and biochemistry at UCL and Kings College London. He also worked as a communication specialist doing knowledge/issue management in Roche drug development and finally was the professional registers and training manager at the Royal Society of Biology. He has always been passionate about promoting interest and understanding in science and was very pleased to be able to continue to do this in Savile Science, where he has organised talks on such diverse topics as Mars rovers, the psychological benefits of music, microplastic pollution and cyber security. Several members have given talks as well, and members are invited to offer suitable talks or suggest speakers.