This course is designed to let the students understand mammalian immune response, identify components of innate and adaptive immune systems and gain basic knowledge about complex interplay between immune system components. The course material has been designed to help understand the ability of the immune system to defend against invading pathogens in a logical fashion.

[We're working to add the motivation for 'Immunology' as soon as possible.]

The study of this course will- • Enable students to learn about the immune system of a mammal. Enable students to perceive the consequences of immune system failure. Enable students to be acquainted with various vaccination systems.

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to- • • • Demonstrate and understanding of the significance of the immune system. Demonstrate how immune response happens following an antigenic invasion. Generate ideas in developing novel vaccines

1. Introduction to immunology: Properties and overview of the immune system, external barriers against infection, Features of innate and adaptive immune responses, components of innate/adaptive immune system, Cells and soluble mediators of immunity, Phases of adaptive immune responses: Recognition ofantigens, clonal selection and activation of lymphocytes, effect or phase of immune responses, homeostasis, Inflammation, Chemotaxis, Phagocytosis, Defenses against extracellular and intracellular pathogens. 2. Cells and organs of the immune system: Innate immune system: Mononuclear phagocytes and polymorphonuclear granulocytes, development of phagocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, platelets, natural killer cells, Adaptive immune system: structure and functions of T and B lymphocytes, Antigen presenting cells, characteristic surface markers of lymphocytes: families of cell surface markers, T-cell antigen receptor complex, B-cell receptor, role of cytokines and costimulatory molecules in B and T cells activation, signaling pathways of T and B-cell activation, organs of immune system: primary lymphoid organs- thymus, bone marrow, lymphatic system, secondary lymphoid organs—lymph nodes, spleen, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. 3. Antigens and antibodies: Immunogenicity vs. antigenicity, properties of antigen/immunogen, conformation of antigen- antibody binding, antibody affinity and avidity, Antibody specificity and cross-reactivity, Distribution of major human and subclasses, immunoglobulins, Immunoglobulin classes structure and function of immunoglobulins, antibody diversity generation, genetic basis of antibody diversity: Isotype, allotype, idiotype, immunoglobulin class switching. 4. MHC molecules and antigen presentation: Structural features of class I and class II MHC molecules, genomic organization of MHC, MHC polymorphism, Processing and presentation of antigen by class I and class II MHC. 5. The complement system: Complement proteins, Activation and regulation of complement pathways: Classical, alternative and lectin pathways, Membrane attack complex (MAC), Biological effects of complement. 6. Hypersensitivity reactions: Classification of hypersensitivity reactions, Type I: IgE-mediated hypersensitivity, IgE cross-linkage and biochemical events in mast cell degranulation, Role of T-cell in immune response to inhalant allergens, Genetics of allergicdiseases, Type II: Causes, Mechanism of cell damage, Reaction against blood cells and platelets, Reaction against tissue antigens, Hemolytic diseases of newborn, Type III: Causes and mechanisms, Experimental models of immune-complex disease, Removal of immune complexes, Deposition and detection of Contact hypersensitivity, granulomatous hypersensitivity, Cellular reaction in type IV hypersensitivity, Diseases manifesting delayed hypersensitivity. 7. Vaccination: Active and passive immunization, live attenuated vaccines, inactivated or killed vaccines, subunit vaccines, conjugate vaccines, DNA vaccines, recombinant vector vaccines, edible vaccines, prime-boost strategies. 8. Immunological Techniques: Precipitation reactions, Agglutination reactions, Simple immuno diffusion and Double immuno diffusion, Immuno electrophoresis and Counter immuno electrophoresis, Two-dimensional immuno electrophoresis, Complement fixation, Immuno fluorescence.

1. David Male, Jonathan Brost off, David B Roth and Ivan Roitt. Immunology, 7th edition, 2006 or a later edition, Elsevier. 2. Peter J Delves, Seamus J Martin, Dennis R Burton and Ivan M Roitt. Roitt's Essential Immunology. 11th edition, 2006 or a later edition, Blackwell Publishing. 3. Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H Lichtman and Shiv Pillai. Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 6th edition, 2009 or a later edition, Saunders Elsevier. 4. Judith A Owen, Jenny Punt, Sharon A Stranford and Patricia P Jones, Kuby. Immunology, 7th edition, 2013 or a later edition, WH Freeman and Company.