CBI-30806 Immunotechnology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Molecular Biology, Immunology, Virology, CBI-10306, CBI-20306

Continuation courses:

Thesis CBI, Thesis VIR

Contents:

Immunotechology focuses on the use of modern biotechnology to design immune intervention strategies that are based on a thorough knowledge of immunological mechanisms. thereto, the innate and adaptive immunity and the cross talk between both arms of the immune system will be discussed at the molecular and cellular level. the understanding of how the immune system maintains tolerance against self-antigens and interacts with microbes and parasites forms the basis for the design of immune intervention strategies. discussed questions are:
- what is the molecular toolbox that pathogens and parasites use to avoid immune destruction?;
- how do hypersensitivities and autoimmune diseases develop?;
- how can immunotechnology be used to design better vaccines, diagnostics and therapies for allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer.
During the practical part of the course students design and carry out a research project related to one of these topic.

Learning outcomes:

After this course the students will be able to:
- assess health problems with an immunological background;
- develop approaches for immune intervention;
- write a research proposal and carry out the appropriate experiments to implement the initial research phase for an immune intervention strategy;
- present the results of the mini-project professionally.

Activities:

This course comprises lectures, tutorials, project education, practicals and self-study. In the first weeks of the course the focus will be on theory and assessment of diseases. During this period students will write a research proposal for a mini-project that will be carried out in weeks 3-5 of the course. In the final week a report will be written and a presentation given during a mini-symposium.
The lectures will deal with the theoretical aspects of molecular immunology and relevant biotechnological applications. The coherence of the different aspects, in relation to disease, will be treated in the tutorials. A guide will be provided for the self-study topics that form part of the course.

Examination:

The acquired knowledge on molecular immunology will be tested in a computer based examination using multiple choice questions. The synthesis of the different aspects leading to immunotechnological applications will be assessed in a written exam using assay questions. A mark will also be given for the project that includes hands on practicals. The final mark is based on the computer exam, the written exam , and project/practicals.

Literature:

Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Abbas, Lichtmann & Pillai, 6th edition 2007 or 2009, ISBN 978-1-4160-3122-2, Saunders-Elsevier and selected papers.