Introductory description

The module focuses on molecular mechanisms by which the immune system protects the host from infectious agents. Apart from presenting key components of the immune system, insight is provided into the strategies invading pathogens use to counteract the host defence. Frequently, these result in failure of pathogen elimination and in diseases due to loss of immunological control.

The module builds on the phenomena learnt in the immunology modules of years 1 and 2 (BS127 and BS211), providing more detail on underlying mechanisms and incorporating molecular and cell biological aspects. In addition, new topics, such as natural immunity, dendritic cells, and the mutual interaction between the immune system and key classes of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, parasites) will be discussed.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Lecture 1: Introduction to the immune system (revision of Y1-2 modules and introducing Y3 course)
Lecture 2: PRR and PAMPs: main receptors involved in the innate immune response, their targets and intercellular signalling that they activate
Lecture 3: Natural Killer Cells: role of NKs in immune responses, their activation and inhibition and their effector functions.
Lecture 4: Antibodies: Function, structure, isoltypes and control on antibody production
Lecture 5: TCRs: Structure, function and signalling through the TCR
Lecture 6: Diversity and Repertoire: Generation of receptor diversity in the adaptive immune response
Lecture 7: MHC molecules: Structure and function of MHC molecules
Lecture 8: MHC Class I: Epitope processing and display in class I molecules
Lecture 9: MHC II: Epitope processing and display in class II molecules
Lecture 10: APC: role and effector functions of professional APCS
Lecture 11: T cell Activation: Tripartite signals involved in T cell activation
Lecture 12: T cell Differentiation: Signalling involved in T cell differentiation and clonal expansion
Lecture 13: T Helper cells: Differentiation of T Helper cells and their effector functions
Lecture 14: Apoptosis: Extrinsic apoptosis and how CTLs and NKs trigger target cell death
Lecture 15: CTLS: activation, differentiation and effector functions of CTLs
Lecture 16: B cells: activation, differentiation and development of B cells.
Lecture 17: Central tolerance: Thymic and bone marrow tolerance
Lecture 18: Peripheral Tolerance: T and B reg cells and their role in controlling immune responses and contraction

Workshop 1: Null hypothesis testing and to-to-event analysis: review of t-tests/ u-tests, ANOVA (1-way), correlation and linear regression (including Passing Bablok), Logistic regression (binary), Cox regression and Kaplan Meier

Workshop 2: Revision session

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• LO1 Critically analyse and reflect on key themes in innate immunology
• LO2 Critically analyse and reflect on key themes in adaptive immunology
• LO3 Critically analyse and reflect on key themes in B and T cell differentiation, activation and clonal expansion
• LO4 Critically analyse and reflect on molecular signalling in T and B cell activation
• LO5 Demonstrate understanding of statistical tests and data analysis

Research element

Time to

Subject specific skills

1. Detailed knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune system
2. Detailed knowledge of the different cells of the immune system
3. Molecular understanding of how immune responses are instigated and contracted
4. Molecular understanding of how immune responses can be evaded

Transferable skills

1. Critical analysis of research papers
2. Poster design
3. Survival analysis in SPSS