Autoimmune disease is the result of the body's immune system targeting and attacking its own tissues in the same way that it would normally tackle infection. The tissues affected become inflamed and damaged.
The city of Venice is a major center of culture and tourism in Italy, a country in southeastern Europe. It is famous for its beautiful canals, palaces, and art. The city is built on more than 100 small islands.
Padua (Padova) is a large town (population 210,000) in the Veneto region in north-eastern Italy. Padua is home to an ancient university, and parts of the town centre have a very studenty feel to them: young people revising under shady trees or meeting up before lectures.