Immunology

3 units

One of life's greatest challenges is how do we best survive in a world that is constantly challenging us to survive the many and varied types of infections that would threaten our survival. The main way in which we survive is the immune system that we possess. As a consequence, this course covers basic molecular and cellular aspects of the vertebrate immune system emphasizing specific and nonspecific host defense against disease. In so doing, we will discuss the nature of immunological specificity, and its underlying molecular genetics. We also cover how our immune system responds to foreign invaders by describing the nature of cell activation, the results of such activation in the form of both cellular activities and the impact of factors released by these cells. Finally, we will consider the role that the immune response plays in tolerance. autoimmunity, allergic reactions, transplantation reactions, immunodeficiency, and how it responds to cancer. In so doing, you will have a better understanding as to how we respond to the world in which we live.