Immunology

• Account for the basic structure of the immune system (cells and organs).
• Describe the mode of operation of the innate immune system.
• Describe the mode of action of the adaptive immune system, incl. specificity, diversity and memory.
• Account for the development of B- and T-cells.
• Describe the different receptor classes that are found in the immune system, and their mode of action.
• Account for the different ligands in microorganisms that initiate activation of the immune system, and how this is mediated.
• Explain the structure and role of the immune system at the mucosal barriers.
• Combine the knowledge about the cells of the immune system and their communication to an overall understanding of the immune systems reactions in health and disease.

The molecular and cellular background for immune reactions. The innate immune system. Pattern recognition receptors. Synthesis, structure and function of immunoglobulins. The T-cell receptor. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Antigen-antibody reactions. Cell-mediated immunity. Cytokines and leucocyte activation and migration. Cell-mediated cytotoxic reactions. Signaling through immune system receptors. The barrier immune system.

27022, Theoretical knowledge of the most important areas in biochemistry/cell physiology. Able to solve general and biotechnological problems. Knowledge of the human physiology in order to provide insight into the interaction between biochemical processes in the organism.

The course consists of lecture videos (to be watched at home before the class room exercises), and a weekly overview lecture/discussion forum in the class room. Weekly exercises followed by electronic quizzes (multiple choice). The weekly quizzes are used to train/repeat difficult key elements. The course also contains a mandatory peer-reviewed 5-page written report that combines all central elements.