Edwards, MelanieHinds, Lyn ADeane, ElizabethDeakin, Janine2015-12-100145-305Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/64702Marsupials are born without a functioning adaptive immune system, into a non-sterile environment where they continue to develop. This review examines the extent of exposure of pouch young to microorganisms and describes the protective mechanisms that areKeywords: adaptive immunity; antigen recognition; biological activity; breast milk; complement activation; developmental stage; environmental exposure; host pathogen interaction; human; immunocompetent cell; immunoglobulin deposition; immunomodulation; immunoreacti Adaptive immunity; Innate immunity; Marsupial; Maternal protection; Pouch young201210.1016/j.dci.2012.03.0132016-02-24