Course Discipline
Course Level
Course Credits
Term(s) Offered
Course Description
This course is focused upon molecular and cellular aspects of vertebrate immunology. Topics covered include: Mechanisms of antigen recognition in innate and adaptive immunity, antigen processing and presentation, the MHC, generation of diversity in immune receptors, B and T cell development, activation, differentiation, death and effector functions; mechanisms of homeostasis and immunosuppression; NK cells and other innate immune cell types, immunological tolerance and its breakdown; microbial immunity; and immune cell signal transduction. The course includes both didactic lectures and discussion-type seminars based upon contemporary research papers.
A previous introductory course in immunology is recommended.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Physics, BIO 305, BIOLCHEM 415, and MCDB 436/MICRBIOL 502 or equivalent; permission of instructor for undergraduates or non-candidate for degree (NCFD) students.