SCI 362 Infection and Immunity

Content

Infectious diseases and disorders of the immune system are a continuous threat to the life and well-being of humans. Studying the fundamental processes in immunology, such as recognition of microbes, development of mature lymphocyte receptor repertoires, and the innate and adaptive immune response is crucial for the understanding how the human body deals with the daily invasion of micro-organisms. On the other hand, general knowledge of the highly diverse microbial world is needed. From this knowledge, detailed specific understanding of microbial strategies to circumvent host resistance can be acquired. Moreover, understanding of pathogenesis and clinical features of a vast number of infectious diseases will enable a proper diagnosis. After the diagnosis has been made, strategies for treatment and prevention can be developed. This includes fundamental principles of vaccination strategies for prevention and treatment. Moreover, the vast array of antimicrobial drugs can be put in place for adequate treatment of infectious diseases. As a principle the course will focus on interactions between host and micro-organisms. Basic principles as microbial virulence, inflammatory responses, tissue damage and apoptosis are therefore discussed. In addition to normal immune responses to invading micro-organisms, the course will also deal with immunopathological processes and diseases. This will be illustrated by clinical cases suffering from disorders such as allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, primary or secondary immunodeficiencies,  HIV infection and AIDS. Moreover, the role of the immune system in transplantation and malignancies is discussed, as well as a variety of clinical applications of immunotherapy.  

Instructor

Dr. Elisabeth Elst

Track

Biomedical Science

Period

Spring / 2009

Course Material

• Engleberg, DiRita, Dermody. Schaechter’s Mechanisms of Microbial Disease. 4-th Edition 2007. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN-13: 978-0-7817-5342-5
• Kindt, Goldsby, Osborne. Kuby Immunology. 6-th Edition 2007. WH Freeman and Company. ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-0211-4
  

Prerequisites

The following course is required in order to take this course:

• SCI 131 Introduction to Life Science