Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology 340: Immunobiology

The human immune system possesses a remarkable ability to distinguish among a wide array of molecular structures. This evolutionary adaptation enables the recognition and response to microbial pathogens as well as host cancer cells, while tolerating normal host cells, commensal microbes, and harmless environmental exposures.  This course will explore the molecular and cellular basis of immune system function (hematopoiesis, innate immunity, molecular diversity of antigen recognition and presentation, and T- and B-cell adaptive immunity),  perturbations of the immune response (allergies, autoimmunity, and tissue transplantation) and the use of immunotherapies to manipulate the immune system (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, T-cell therapies).   Coursework will involve instructor- and student-led presentations, the reading and discussion of peer-reviewed research articles, and case-studies that highlight host-pathogen interactions, evolutionary pressures, immune modulation, and the development of diagnostics and therapeutics. Applies to the Molecular/Cell requirement for the Biology major.