Peter M Lydyard is an emeritus professor of immunology at University College London, UK, and an associate professor at the University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.

Nina Porakishvili is an emeritus fellow at the University of Westminster, London, UK, and Professor and Head of the Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.

Michael F Cole is an emeritus professor of microbiology and immunology, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.

PML and NP's research interests are the immunobiology and immunotherapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cancer vaccines. MFC's research interest is the interplay between the commensal microbiota and the mucosal immune system of humans, with a focus on the oral cavity.