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Immunology


Course Description

Immunology from an experimental perspective. Anatomy, development, and function of the immune system. Immune system in infectious diseases. Mechanisms and pathogenesis of immunological disorders. Evolution of immunological concepts.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students must attend two seminars from speakers outside the university whose talk focuses on immunology. They then write a 1-2 page synopsis of the lecture. The goal of this exercise is to assimilate the immunological knowledge that the students are getting in class with current research. The second additional requirement is the writing of an advanced "grant application" on a topic in immunology. This exercise requires that they become an expert in a focused area of immunology, understand the up-to-date literature in this area and propose an experiment or set of experiments that will extend current knowledge. Graduate students are expected to write a more detailed, complete and feasible grant proposal. The hope is that this exercise will take the student beyond the book to current literature, to see how immunology is applied in the research arena and to think creatively about how to extend classroom knowledge to real world problems.


Athena Title

Immunology


Non-Traditional Format

The one-hour breakout session will include group work/problem solving, case studies, manuscript discussions, etc.


Prerequisite

(BCMB 3100 or BCMB 3100E or BCMB 4010/6010 or BCMB 4020/6020) and (GENE 3200-3200D or GENE 3200H)


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student learning Outcomes

  • Students will be challenged to develop an understanding of the components of the immune system, including the terminology associated therewith.
  • Students will be challenged to develop an understanding of the complex interactions between these components in initiating and regulating immune responses.
  • Students will be challenged to develop an understanding of immune defense mechanisms against infectious diseases and cancers.
  • Students will be challenged to develop an understanding of the consequences of malfunctioning immune response.
  • Students will be challenged to develop an understanding of experimental approaches that have led to our current understanding of immunology.
  • Students will be challenged to develop an understanding of modern applications of immunology.

Topical Outline

  • Introduction and General Properties of the Immune System
  • Cells and Tissues of the Immune System
  • Antigens and Antibodies
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex
  • Antigen Processing and Presentation
  • Antigen Receptors and Accessory Molecules
  • Lymphocyte Maturation and Expression of Antigen Receptor Genes
  • Activation of T Lymphocytes
  • B cell maturation and Ig Production
  • Immunological Tolerance
  • Cytokines
  • Innate Immunity
  • Effector Mechanisms: Cell Mediated Immunity
  • Allergies/Hypersensitivities
  • Effector Mechanisms: Humoral Immunity
  • Immunity to Microbes
  • Transplant Immunology
  • Tumor Immunology
  • Immunological Diseases
  • Immunodeficiencies, AIDS, and Vaccines

Syllabus


Public CV