Training the 21st century immunologist

Immunology, along with other fields of biology, is undergoing a revolution. Here we discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by considering the dynamical systems properties of the immune system, and harnessing the power of data-rich technologies. We present specific recommendations for changing graduate programs to incorporate training that will enable students to actively participate in the analyses of complex data and their biological system, and urge that we move from viewing quantitative and computational biology as interdisciplinary, to recognizing these as intrinsic to the discipline of immunology going forward.