title: Splitting the difference: the germline-somatic mutation debate on generating antibody diversity.
abstract: In the debate about the mechanism for the generation of immunological diversity, the initial positions of both 'somaticists' and 'germliners' were diametrically opposed. Then, as data developed favoring first one and then the other side, concessions were made, until the final solution showed that each had been at least partially correct.
authors.affiliation: Institute of the History of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1900 East Monument Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. arts@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Arthur M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silverstein
mesh_terms: D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000266:history*; D000818:Animals; D000916:Antibody Diversity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin / Q000276:immunology*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes