Course Contents

Overview of the immune system as the body’s main defense mechanism; elements of innate and acquired immunity; cells and organs of the immune system; properties of antibodies and antigens together with their structure, function and interactions; genetics of antibody structure and diversity; expression of immunoglobulin genes; VDJ recombination; antigen processing and presentation; major histocompatibility complex; monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies; T-cell receptors, maturation, activation, and differentiation; B-cell generation, activation, and differentiation; complement system, hypersensitivity, cytokines, resistance and immune response to infectious diseases, cell-mediated effector response, leukocyte migration and inflammation, vaccines, diseases of the immune system - autoimmunity, transplantation immunology.

Course Synopsis

To acquaint students with the basic principles of innate and adaptive immune systems.