Please Note that, as of June 1, 2011, I no longer coordinate MIMM314. Dr. Piccirillo has been assigned the role of coordinator, and it is he you should contact with any questions or comments.

Dr. Piccirillo has requested the removal of the past exam papers which had been made available via the "Exams" web page.

Soon my MIMM314 web pages will be removed completely. For now, I leave the lecture slide pdf files and other information available for those studying for the deferred final exam or supplementary exam at the end of August.

Calling this an introduction to the immune system is not to imply that it is easy or superficial. This is a demanding course. It is introductory in that it does not assume any prior knowledge of innate or adaptive immune systems. But it does assume a good grounding in cell and molecular biology. The course will cover the cellular and molecular mechanisms of self- and non-self recognition, and responses to antigen which limit infection, neutralize toxins and viruses, kill and clear pathogens and infected cells, and signal changes in local tissues and distant organs leading to mobilization of energy, cells, molecules and activities for defence and repair. With respect to the adaptive immune system we cover lymphocyte development, the generation of a large repertoire of potential antigen receptors and antibodies, and mechanisms of lymphocyte activation and effector functions. Once knowledge of the principal components and functions of the immune system have been understood, the later lectures will look at transplantation and tissue rejection, autoimmunity, allergy, and immunodeficiency diseases.

3 credits - Winter Term

Prequisites:

Lectures:

Lecturers

Evaluation

• Mid-Term Examinations (2 x 20%) - 40%
• Final Examination - 60%

Course Text

Janeway's Immunobiology, 7th Ed. Kenneth M. Murphy, Paul Travers, Mark Walport (2007) Garland Science, ISBN 0815341237

This edition has been used for enough years that you may be able to get an inexpensive second-hand book. If you do, besides checking the condition of the book, make sure you get the CD which came with it, or else suggest a lower price. You do not need the CD to pass the course, but it has some neat animated cartoons and instructive videos. Do not bother with the 6th Ed. of Immunobiology (2004), unless someone is giving it to you. It will serve well for much of the course, but you must consult a copy of the 7th edition from time to time to check the relevant sections for updated material.

Material Covered

A survey of the cellular and molecular elements that constitute the immune system. This will provide the basis for an analysis of cellular interactions and molecular mechanisms which support protective immunity and will be considered in the context of dysregulated immune responses associated with autoimmunity and states of immunodeficiency.

Topics

• Innate Immunity, Complement and Receptors
• Immunoglobulin Structure
• Antigen-Receptor Interactions
• Generation of Antibody and T cell Receptor Diversity
• MHC Class I and MHC Class II Genes and Proteins
• Antigen Processing and Presentation
• Signal Transduction by Antigen Receptors
• B Cell Development
• T Cell Development
• Lymphocyte Maturation and Survival
• T Cell Activation
• T Cell Mediated Immunity
• B Cell Activation
• Immunoglobulin Receptors
• Cytokines and Chemokines
• Allergy
• Autoimmunity
• Transplantation and Rejection
• Immunological Tolerance
• Tumour Immunology
• Inherited Immune Deficiencies
• Acquired Immune Deficiencies