The structure and dynamics of immunology, 1951-1972: a prosopographical study of international meetings.

Immunology underwent a major change in direction during the 1950s and 1960s, from immunochemistry to immunobiology. A quantitative analysis of the participants at a large number of immunological meetings held during this critical period reveals much about the inner dynamics of the discipline. This new approach enables us to define the scientific leadership of the discipline and of its emerging subdisciplines, the interests of "mainstream" immunology, and when fields such as transplantation and allergy begin to join the mainstream. It is also suggested that some of these meetings, in addition to reflecting changes within the field, may have contributed substantially to these changes. Further, many of these meetings served to promote the institutionalization of the discipline and of its subdisciplines.