SIIK24001U Basic Immunology

Volume 2024/2025
Education

Msc in Immunology and Inflammation

Content

Teaching revolves around a series of lectures by specialists in basic and experimental immunology, including professors from ISIM or invited lectures. The lecture series includes basic molecular and cellular immunology, antigen-specific immune recognition, the identification of MHC-binding peptide epitopes, and the induction and regulation of T lymphocyte activation. Students take part in a journal club for which they read selected examples from the latest immunology literature and learn how to present, discuss and analyse complex problems in the field of basic immunology. The module also includes an experimental course in flow cytometry.

The  objective of the course is to provide students with a thorough introduction to, and understanding of, the molecular and structural background to the integrated functions of cells and tissue in the immune system. This covers the innate immune defences and the way cytokines and other transmitters regulate the complex interplay between the different cells of the immune defence and between immune defence and stroma; to provide knowledge of the most important recent advances in basic immunology research; to learn how to present, discuss and analyse complex problems in the field of basic immunology by taking part in a journal club.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge

  • Explain the composition of the immune system including cells and organs
  • Explain the function of the innate and adaptive immune response
  • Describe the development of B and T cells
  • Describe how B and T cells are activated and differentiated during adaptive immune responses
  • Explain the function of non-conventional lymphocytes in immune responses
  • Describe how immune responses are regulated
  • Explain tissue-specific immunity

 

Skills

  • Analyze how different components within the immune system plays a role in immune responses
  • Propose relevant studies aimed at clarifying the immunological mechanisms involved in immune responses
  • Discuss the innate versus the adaptive immune response
  • Analyze and discuss the significance of immune regulation

 

Competence

  • Understand and evaluate papers published in peer-reviewed immunological journal
  • Critically analyze and discuss experimental data in the field of immunology
  • Conceptually develop and initiate small research projects within the field of immunology
  • Recognize and understand immunological issues when these occur
  • Can contribute to interdisciplinary discussions involving basic immunology
Literature
  • Janeway's Immuno biology, edited by Kenneth Murphy, Garland Science, Latest edition
  • Selected scientific papers
  • Experimental course material

 

Experimental course including Lectures, journal club, student oral presentation of scientific papers.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 27
  • Class Instruction
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 157,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 7
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
On-site written exam, 4 hours
Exam registration requirements

None

Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student must be able to:

Knowledge

  • Explain the composition of the immune system including cells and organs
  • Explain the function of the innate and adaptive immune response
  • Describe the development of B and T cells
  • Describe how B and T cells are activated and differentiated during adaptive immune responses
  • Explain the function of non-conventional lymphocytes in immune responses
  • Describe how immune responses are regulated
  • Explain tissue-specific immunity

 

Skills

  • Analyze how different components within the immune system plays a role in immune responses
  • Propose relevant studies aimed at clarifying the immunological mechanisms involved in immune responses
  • Discuss the innate versus the adaptive immune response
  • Analyze and discuss the significance of immune regulation