Program Overview

BMS344 Molecular Immunology

This is an advanced level immunology subject. This subject considers immune responses at the molecular level and covers the role of immuno receptors on immune cells in the initiation of immune responses, role of cytokines, cell signalling pathways and various steps involved in the generation of immune responses at the cellular level in a mammalian host. The two clinical application modules consider transplantation immunology and monoclonal antibody technology.

Availability

• Session 2 (60)
• On Campus: Wagga Wagga Campus
• Online: Wagga Wagga Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Biomedical Sciences

Assumed Knowledge

BMS308 Immunology or equivalent

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to describe the structure and function of immunological receptors and apply this information towards building a comprehensive understanding of the initiation of immune responses at the molecular level
• be able to describe the various stages of immune cell development and compare this with abnormal development in a range of immunodefficiency conditions
• be able to explain how immunoregulation occurs and relate it to the overall function of the immune system in the healthy host as well as in immune disease states
• be able to describe the HLA system and techniques of organ transplantation immunology
• be able to explain how monoclonal antibodies are made and compare different technologies used in the development of new therapies and diagnostic agents
• be able to explain, using examples, current industrial and medical applications of immunology and critically evaluate current advances in this area as published in the literature

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Module 1: Advanced Immunological Concepts
  • Immunogenetics: genetic origin of antibody diversity; genetics of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) system, complement and antibody receptors
  • Receptor Immunology: binding of ligands to cell surface receptors; complement, antibody, B and T cell, and lymphokine receptors; application of receptor immunology in pharmacology
  • Immunoregulation: role of B and T cells in regulating immune response; generation of self-tolerance in the immune system
  • The development of immune cells and immune tissue
• Module 2: Transplantation Immunology
  • The MHC system - structure and function
  • HLA antigens - nomenclature, histocompatibility (theory and laboratory testing), selection of organ donors, graft rejection
• Module 3: Industrial and Medical Applications of Immunology
  • Hybridoma technology and the production of monoclonal antibodies as diagnostic reagents
  • Vaccine production
  • Tumour immunology and immunotherapy
  • Immunological reagents as diagnostic and therapeutic tools