Immunophysiology: The Intersection of Immunology and Human Physiology
VPHY(IDIS) 4850/6850
3 hours
Immunophysiology: The Intersection of Immunology and Human Physiology
Course Description
The relationships between the immune system and various physiological systems within the human body. We introduce the mechanisms of immune responses, how they interact with organ systems, and apply the concepts to the implications of immune response to pathologies including mechanisms and causation of diseases.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Exploration of scientific literature relevant to immunophysiology topics.
Athena Title
Immunophysiology
Prerequisite
VPHY 3108
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to comprehend basic immunology and acquire different skills to apply this knowledge in understanding advanced immunology topics.
By the end of this course, students will be able to integrate information from lectures to identify how the immune system and organ systems work together to maintain health and homeostasis.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe and categorize the immune system's components, including the main mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply the basic knowledge to identify and predict the immune system's involvement in disease pathophysiology.
By the end of this course, students will also evaluate and justify current treatment protocols based on the latest evidence and immunological insights.
By the end of this course, students will apply immunological principles to case studies, demonstrating critical thinking to solve problems through the analysis of immune responses in various disease states.
Topical Outline
I. Principles of immune response (including organization/anatomy of the immune system, key molecules, functional basis of innate and adaptive response).
II. Physiology of immune response in primary and secondary lymphoid organs (including lymphatic system, bone marrow, thymus and tertiary lymphoid structures like BALT, GALT, etc.).
III. Immune response in different physiological systems (including integumentary, gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, muscular and urinary, etc.).
IV. Physiological outcomes of immune responses and tissue damage caused by the immune system.
V. Fundamentals of host-environmental interactions (including immunodeficiencies at the extremes of age, microbiota in immunity and inflammation, etc.).
VI. Systemic Immune Diseases (mechanisms of autoimmunity, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle disease, etc.).
VII. Medical management of immunological diseases.
