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Fundamental and Applied Immunology provides an overview of the human immune system in health and disease. The module will cover the anatomy and constituents of the immune system, cellular interactions within the immune system and the general principle of how an immune response is generated. These concepts will be placed in context: how the immune system fights pathogens, how inappropriate responses can cause disease and how the immune system can be manipulated therapeutically.

The module will develop from a basic to a more in depth understanding, with emphasis throughout placed on current developments in this fast moving field and on the application of this knowledge in the development of novel immune based therapies. The module consists of recorded lecture material and weekly tutorial sessions. During the tutorials students will focus on an in-depth discussion of one of the week’s topics (in depth discussion of Ìýcurrent research, experimental approaches or translational applications).

Aims

To provide students with a sound understanding of the fundamental aspects of immunology with the focus on current cutting edge research.

In particular, the aims of this module are:

• To provide students with up to date knowledge on immunological processes including: innate and adaptive immunity, development of the immune system, immune regulation, defence against pathogens, dysregulation of the immune systems (immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, chronic infections, ageing, cancer)
• To describe key tools and techniques used to investigate these processes.
• To introduce students to seminal scientific papers that changed our understanding of key immunological concepts and to the current research in this field
• To make students aware of the link between fundamental research and clinical applications

Learning outcomes

The students will be able to:

• Examine and discuss key aspects of immunology related to the function of immune system in health and disease; with an emphasis on how this knowledge informs novel therapeutic strategies
• Compare, contrast and appraise essential tools and techniques used to investigate these key aspects. Recognise how new knowledge can be advanced by new techniques
• Evaluate scientific milestones that changed our perspective on key aspects of immunology. Assess the context of seminal scientific papers and the impact on the field; recognise that scientific knowledge is continuously evolving and critically appraise scientific evidence