Entry requirements

120 credits inclusive Cell biology. Microbiology. Genomics-experimental methods.

Learning outcomes

The course gives basic theories within the area of cellular and molecular immunology.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• describe the principles for the function and phenotype for a number of the central cell types of the immune system, as the T and B lymphocytes, the NK cells, the neutrophilic, basophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes and the macrophages.
• describe structure and function for a number of molecules that have key functions in the immune system, as for example immunoglobulins, T-cell receptors, MHC molecules, complement proteins, defensins, Toll like receptors, integrins, selektins, and a few key cytokines and chemokines and their receptors.
• describe the principles for how the different cell types of the immune system develop from stem cell to a fully immuno competent effektor cell , and describe the cell to cell interactions these cells use to become activated and to clonally expand.
• describe the principles of how immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors generate, at a genetic level, the enormous variability that we see in these antigen receptors.
• describe in general terms how the different immune cells and effektor molecules cooperate in the defence against various microorganisms, as bacteria, fungi, virus and parasites.
• describe in general terms the mechanisms behind several immunological diseases, as hypersensitivity reactions, allergies, autoimmunity and immuno deficiencies.
• describe in general terms the mechanisms of action of certain immunosuppressive drugs as glucocorticoids and cyklosporin.
• describe commonly used immunological methods that are used in basic science and in biotech industry as ELISA, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, protein A purification, production of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and the production of humanised antibodies.
• to present results from investigations and to independently present and defend summaries based on basic literature within the field.

Content

The course presents the different defence systems that vertebrates, primarily mammals, use to defend themselves against various infections. Both the innate and the inducible, adaptive immune systems and their components are described in detail. The cells and molecules that participate in these systems are described and how they inactivate the infectious agents and how the activity of these defence systems is regulated.

The focus is on the key characteristics of the immune system- to distinguish self molecules from non-self - to remember structures that it ones have responded to - and to react by the production of molecules that are highly specific to these foreign molecules. The course also addresses in detail the different genetic mechanisms that participate in generating the very large number of specific receptors that the immune system can generate in response to foreign molecules in the form of antibodies and T-cell receptors.

The high specificity of antibodies has resulted in that antibodies have been used in many different areas of biology and within the industry, as specific tools for the analysis of different molecules. During the course the technique of how to produce monoclonal antibodies is described and different tests that such antibodies can be used (RIA and ELISA), and also how cell based assays can be used for example in clinical diagnosis. Immunological diseases as allergy, autoimmunity and immunodeficiencies are also discussed.

Instruction

Lectures and theoretical exercises.

Assessment

A written exam at the end of the course. Passed theoretical exercises during the course gives two of the course credits.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.