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The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large genomic region or gene family found in most vertebrates. It is the most gene-dense region of the mammalian genome and plays an important role in the immune system, autoimmunity, and reproductive success. The proteins encoded by the MHC are expressed on the surface of cells in all jawed vertebrates, and display antigens (fragments of molecules from invading microbes or dysfunctional cells (e.g. tumor cells)) to a particular type of white blood cell called a T cell that has the capacity to kill or co-ordinate the killing of the microbe, infected cell or malfunctioning cell. In 1995, Swiss biologist Claus Wedekind determined MHC-dissimiliar mate selection tendencies in humans.