Course Info: NS-0250

CourseNS-0250 Immunology
Long TitleImmunology
Term2018S
Note(s) Prerequisites Required
Textbook information
Meeting InfoCole Science Center 333 on M,W from 9:00-10:20
FacultyChristopher Jarvis
Capacity23
Available16
Waitlist0
Distribution(s)
Cumulative Skill(s)Independent Work
Quantitative Skills
Writing and Research
Additional InfoIn this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.
Description

In this course we examined the anatomic, cellular, genetic, and molecular basis of the immune response. We explored the generation of antibody diversity; antigen-antibody interactions; T-cell and B-cell maturation, activation, and differentiation; the MHC; the production of cytokines; and the regulation of the immune response. We also covered the basis of autoimmunity, hypersensitivity reactions, cancer, and immunodeficiencies. We concentrated quite heavily on T- cell ontogeny including the expression of the TcR complex, positive and negative selection in the thymus and T-cell receptor-mediated signal transduction. Throughout this course, we approached these topics from an experimental viewpoint, emphasizing how the shared interpretation of the major experiments has given rise to the fundamental principles of immunology and how these continue to evolve. Students were expected to read from Charles Janeway's Immunobiology, which we used as a reference text, and from a variety of primary and review articles. Students were required to complete frequent problem sets, a mid-term critique on self-nonself discrimination by T-cells, and a final paper on an immunologic topic of their choice. The first paper was a critical review of a primary scientific article and the final paper was to include such a critical analysis in the context of a larger review of the related literature and an experimental proposal. Students participated in regular class discussions and presented their final papers to the class.