Immunology - advances and therapeutic implications

BIO-479 / 5 credits

Teacher:

Language: English

Remark: pas donné en 2024-25

Summary

The students acquire advanced level knowledge regarding the functioning of the (vertebrate) immune system. A strong focus is placed on the molecular mechanisms underlying innate and adaptive immune responses and their implications for medicine.

Content

The basic subject will be introduced by online lectures and/or self-directed exercises. It will be followed up by (higher-level) discussions on seminal primary research or on summaries of emerging themes related to functioning or therapeutic impliactions of the immune system. These discussions will be prepared by the students and presented in small groups during seminars.

Basic Topics include:

  • Innate Immunity
  • Antibodies and Antigens
  • Activation and differentiation of T lymphocytes
  • B cell immunology and humoral immunity
  • Immunity to microbes
  • Transplantation Immunology
  • Vaccination
  • Tumor Immunity

Specialized topics discussed can include innate immune memory function, emerging anti-inflammatory medicines, novel T cell checkpoints, novel approaches to cancer immunotherapy, autoinflammatory syndromes.

Keywords

  • Immune cell subsets
  • Pattern recognition receptors
  • Signal transduction
  • T cell differentitation
  • Antigen processing and presentation
  • B cell regulation

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Biology I, II

Basic knowledge in immunology is helpful.

Recommended courses

Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire II & III.

Important concepts to start the course

  • cellular biology
  • pathogens

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Recall knowledge of the immune response
  • Assess / Evaluate the value and accuracy of primary scientific research
  • Use available resources to generate an oral report on a immunological topic
  • Propose strategies of translational immunity

Transversal skills

  • Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
  • Make an oral presentation.
  • Identify the different roles that are involved in well-functioning teams and assume different roles, including leadership roles.

Teaching methods

  • Online lectures
  • Preparation and oral presentations of review articles and of primary research articles

Expected student activities

  • Revision of course content
  • Presentation of scientific topic

Assessment methods

  • Written assessment of acquired knowledge in an exam format
  • Oral presentation

Supervision

Assistants Yes

Resources

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Immunology - advances and therapeutic implications
  • Courses: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Immunology - advances and therapeutic implications
  • Courses: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Immunology - advances and therapeutic implications
  • Courses: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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