Molecular and Cellular Immunology

The emphasis of this module is on how the immune system works, with a focus on molecular and cellular aspects. The main areas covered include (but are not limited to): (i) the evolution of the immune system, (ii) innate immunity and the role of phagocytes, inflammatory responses and intracellular killing mechanisms, (iii) adaptive immunity and the role of B cells, T cell subsets, antigen presenting cells, interleukins and cell surface receptors, (iv) immunity and infection killer cells and killing mechanisms, (iv) the structures, signalling pathways, cell biology and interactions involved in antigen recognition, T and B cell responses, antibody-antigen complexes, (v) immunological disorders, including hypersensitivity, and autoimmune diseases and transplantation, (vi) vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.

The aim of the module is to develop a knowledge in immunology and the methods used to investigate the subject. This will be achieved by a combination of (i) lectures, (ii) data interpretation sessions, (iii) practicals on leukocyte identification using microscopy and (v) student reading material available on e-journals and in the library. 

By the end of the module you should be able to:

• demonstrate a body of knowledge of physiological, cellular and molecular features of the immune systems in humans and other organisms;
• link molecular and cellular components of the immune system to physiological outcomes in protection against infection, and autoimmune conditions;
• Interpret data based on experiments in molecular and cellular immunology in terms of cellular and molecular features of the immune system;
• Present a topic in molecular and cellular immunology in the form of a critical evaluation of a controversy in immunology
• understand through practical training how cell staining and microscopy can be used to identify cells of the immune system in blood smears.