Download Basic immunology - Karolinska Institutet

Title : Basic immunology
Course number : 2302
Credits : 3.0
Date : Language : English
Level : Doctoral level
Responsible KI department : Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biologi
Specific entry requirements : Learning outcomes : To understand basic principles of innate and adaptive immunity and how different
components of the immune system cooperate. To be able to relate, compare and understand experimental
aspects of immune­related disease in a clinical perspective. To adapt knowledge gained of the function of
the immune system by being able to analyze and discuss an immunological/clinical case (group project). To present the group project and discuss the results as well as work in pairs with clinical cases.
Contents of the course : The course is separated into two parts. In part 1 we discuss basic immunological
mechanisms within the innate and adaptive immune response. In part 2 we apply the knowledge in clinical
settings such as defence against infection, autoimmune and allergic disease or transplantation. Part 1: Introduction An overview of the immune system T cells B cells Antigen­presenting cells Innate vs
adaptive immune responses Methods to study immune reactions. Part 2: Immune defence against
bacterial and viral infections Primary immunodeficiencies Autoimmune disease Allergy Vaccination Clinical Immunology Transplantation Tumour Immunology Questions and discussions Presentation of
projects. Teaching and learning activities : The course is given full­time during a total of six days separated into
two parts. The teaching is mainly in lecture/seminar form but also includes project work studying cases
individually and pairwise, as well as in small groups. The group projects are then presented orally on the
last day of the course. The project work requires studies between the two course parts, including meetings
with mentors. Course literature (Abbas) and cases are handed out at the course start. An immunological
quiz is connected to the different chapters in the book so that the student will be able to digest the
relatively big material. The course is designed so that clinically active doctors will be better able to combine
it with work in the clinic (Mondays and Fridays contain no scheduled course work) .The purpose of dividing
the course into two parts is that the participants should have time to thoroughly study the literature from
part 1 (fundamental immunological mechanisms) before teaching of the applied immunology in part 2
starts. Considering the substantial literature requirement plus the cases and project work, we estimate that
an extra 32h of study is needed, which is not included in the schedule. Examination : Web­based exam on the course content. Oral presentations of small­group project work. At
this occasion special attention is given to that all students are actively participating. The clinical cases are
examined by written reports. Compulsory elements : Project work and attendance at the project presentation is compulsory as well as
work with two clinical cases. In the case of absence a separate occasion is organized with presentation for
the course organizers. The web­based exam is mandatory. Number of students : 12 ­ 50
Selection of students : Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the
applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) date for registration as a doctoral student
(priority given to earlier registration date)
More information : The course is divided into two parts, consisting of three days each . Between the two parts the participants perform project
work, including meetings with mentors as well as study the literature. Teachers include specialists in
different fields of immunology including both basic and clinical researchers: examples: Peter Bergman, Ola
Winqvist, Rolf Kiessling, Helena Erlandsson Harris and Guro Gafvelin. Litterature includes Abbas (Basic
Immunology) ­ the book is free and is handed out at the course start ­ and clinical cases as well as
handouts etc. The course location is at Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska
Institutet, Solna.
Course responsible : Lisa Westerberg
Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör­ och cellbiologi
[email protected]
Contact person : Mikael Karlsson
Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör­ och cellbiologi