IMMU 004
Cellular Immunology: Principles and Methods
Credits
-IMMU 023
Flow Cytometry: Principles and Methods
Flow cytometry has been a fundamental technology utilized for cell counting, cell sorting, biomarker detection, and protein engineering. This lecture and laboratory workshop will cover various applications of flow cytometry in research. Selected lecture topics will provide a broad background about the functions of a flow cytometer, choice of fluorochromes, data analysis and presentation, technical protocols for flow cytometric procedures and troubleshooting during data acquisition and analysis. The lab sessions will include demonstrations of a few different flow cytometer instruments, along with hands-on training on FlowJo software.
Credits
-IMMU 325
The Human Microbiome: New Concepts in Health and Disease
Credits
1Prerequisites
general knowledge of biology or consent of Instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and compare Important constituents of the human microbiome ■ Describe technological methods used In microbiome analysis Assess the effects of probiotics and preblotics on human health and disease Evaluate the contribution of the microbiome In various human disease states
IMMU 369
Epidemics, Vaccines, and Prevention
Credits
1Learning Objectives:
- List major historical epidemics and their impact on society
- Discuss how both genetic mutations and changes in the environment together with human social behavior can give rise to new infectious diseases
- Explain how vaccines can help prevent infections
- Compare different types of vaccine strategies and their underlying immunological mechanisms
- Assess the potential of a developmental vaccine candidate
IMMU 403
Basic Principles of Immunology and Hypersensitivity
The immune system encompasses a broad, highly interactive network of cells, tissues, and anatomical structures that protects us from infection and cancer, yet can also induce autoimmune disease. The course will explore the genetics, cell biology, and physiology that govern both our resistance to infection and the induction of autoimmune disease and allergy.Distinctions between the innate/natural immune system and the adaptive immune system will be discussed. The role of intestinal microbiota, inflammatory reactions, and vaccines will be also studied. Central to the discussions will be the role of cellular subsets (B cells, T cells, macrophages), serum proteins (immunoglobulins and complement), and cell surface receptors whose coordinated activities comprise the immune response. Specific immune pathologies or deficiencies associated with human disease will be also highlighted.
Credits
2Prerequisites
Familiarity with cell biology.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain knowledge on key cellular components of the immune response
- Distinguish the function of innate/natural and adaptive immune systems
- Understand how the key antigen recognition molecules (TCR, BCR) arise from genetic recombination, and how the specificity of the immune repertoire is shaped
- Discuss the role of inflammation during infection, autoimmunity, and cancer
- Learn how cytokine activity affects cell signaling and function
- Understand how the immune system plays a role in the resistance to infection, induction of allergies, autoimmunity, and cancer
IMMU 404
Advanced Principles of Immunology and Hypersensitivity
TBA.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or equivalent.
IMMU 418
Cancer Immunology
Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field in research and in the clinic, which focusses on the interface between the immune system, inflammation and cancer biology. To advance research in this field an understanding of each of these systems and how they interact to suppress or promote cancer progression is vital. Students taking this class will gain an understanding of how the tumor microenvironment alters and evades the immune system and the contribution of inflammation in promoting cancer progression. This course will serve as an introduction to further studies in cancer immunotherapies.
Topics covered:
- Tumor microenvironment – the interactions between immune cells and cancer cells.
- Polarization of Macrophages and Recruitment of Inflammatory Cells by Cancer Cells.
- Mechanisms of Tumor- Induced Tolerance/Escape from the Immune System.
- Immunosuppression by Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs)
- Innate immune system in cancer and therapies utilizing cytokines and interferons.
- Cancer Vaccines: preventative and therapeutic.
- Viruses and cancer: cancer-causing viruses (eg HPV, HTLV1), oncolytic viruses and use of viruses in gene therapy.
- Anti-cancer antibodies (including ADCs) to target cancer cells.
Credits
1Learning Objectives:
- Students will list the mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system.
- Students will describe the relationships between viruses and cancer, and give examples of cancer vaccines.
- Students will explain how cancer cells interact with and ‘corrupt’ immune cells in the tumour microenvironment.
- Students will demonstrate how the innate immune system can be utilized in cancer therapy.
IMMU 419
Cancer Immunotherapy
Over the past decade, new therapies have led to the successful application of basic immunologic principles to treat human malignancies. The development of adoptive T cell transfer and the use of monoclonal antibodies to turn on an inhibited or ‘exhausted’ immune system are the type of radical innovations that are generating a remarkable series of clinical results.New concepts are emerging to explain how even large tumors can be eliminated or controlled for long periods of time. The course will discuss the successes of the newly emerging era of the immunotherapy of cancer. The course will emphasize the remarkable accomplishments of the past five years in molecular and immune biology as well as provide a detailed review of emerging therapies using adoptive T cell transfer and immune check point inhibitors, prospects for new agents, and the application of biomarkers and bioinformatics in this rapidly developing field. Throughout, the course aims to provide an underlying framework for how the human immune system functions in infectious diseases, tumor immunity, and in immune-mediated adverse events.
Credits
2Prerequisites
familiarity with basic immunology is strictly required; prior college-level coursework in immunology is highly encouraged.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the rapidly emerging results in basic and clinical studies using innovative therapies for human malignancies
- Develop theoretical and practical framework for studying the human immunology of infectious disease, malignancy, and autoimmunity
- Understand the nature of ‘final common pathway’ of successful T cell-mediated immunotherapy
IMMU 521
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Immunity I
Credits
2Prerequisites
IMMU 403 Basic Principles of Immunology and Hypersensitivity or equivalent graduate-level immunology
course.
Learning Objectives:
- Survey recent advances in immunology
- Discuss lymphocyte development and interactions, receptor signal transduction, genetic and biochemical basis of immune receptors and effector function
IMMU 522
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Immunity II
Credits
2Prerequisites
previous immunology course or working knowledge of basic immunology, IMMU 521 or equivalent.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn advanced immunological concepts from world authorities at NIH
- Apply these concepts to research projects, medicine, and management
- Identify fundamental mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity
- Learn advanced principles of host defense against pathogens and the relationship with commensals
- Understand the bases of autoimmunity and immunodeficiency
MICR 317
Molecular Virology I
This course provides an introduction to the molecular virology of virus infection and progeny virus production and spread. It details molecular mechanisms of virus entry, replication, transcription, translation, and propagation in the host. Starting with the molecular structure of select viruses, the course will focus on strategies used by various viruses for successful infection and propagation, including molecular mechanism of host defense and its evasion by the viruses. Select viruses important to human health (e.g., influenza virus, papillomavirus, HIV) will be considered in detail, highlighting recent advances in the understanding of their biology and pathogenesis. The lectures will include discussions of current strategies for vaccine development and viruses as vectors for gene transfer in functional genomics and gene therapy.
Credits
1Prerequisites
Learning Objectives:
- Acquire fundamental and practical knowledge of virology from the molecular perspective
- Revisit the question of whether viruses are living organisms throughout the course
- Discuss how viruses infect a host, and the molecular determinants of infection and pathogenesis
- Identify gaps in our knowledge of virology and discuss how to fill those gaps
- Discover how the study of viruses is helping usher in the age of synthetic biology
MICR 318
Molecular Virology II
This course provides an introduction to the molecular virology of virus infection and progeny virus production and spread. It details molecular mechanisms of virus entry, replication, transcription, translation, and propagation in the host. Starting with the molecular structure of select viruses, the course will focus on strategies used by various viruses for successful infection and propagation, including molecular mechanism of host defense and its evasion by the viruses. Select viruses important to human health (e.g., influenza virus, papillomavirus, HIV) will be considered in detail, highlighting recent advances in the understanding of their biology and pathogenesis. The lectures will include discussions of current strategies for vaccine development and viruses as vectors for gene transfer in functional genomics and gene therapy.
Credits
1Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Acquire fundamental and practical knowledge of virology from the molecular perspective
- Revisit the question of whether viruses are living organisms throughout the course
- Discuss how viruses infect a host, and the molecular determinants of infection and pathogenesis
- Identify gaps in our knowledge of virology and discuss how to fill those gaps
- Discover how the study of viruses is helping usher in the age of synthetic biology
MICR 325
Molecular Microbiology I
This course will cover concepts in molecular microbiology, including microbial cell biology, bacterial biochemistry, bacterial genetics and genomics, and molecular interactions with host or microbiome communities. Select bacteria important to human health and disease (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) will be considered in detail, highlighting advances in the understanding of their biology and pathogenesis. During the course, students will read primary scientific literature that highlights evolving technologies and experimental approaches that enable a deeper understanding of molecular microbiology. Class sessions will include active student participation in discussions and case studies.
Credits
2Prerequisites
Introductory understanding of microbiology.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain fundamental and advanced principles of molecular microbiology, including microbial cell biology, bacterial biochemistry, bacterial genetics and genomics, and cell-cell interactions
- Identify key questions in the field and analyze how these apply to biomedical research and product development
- Interpret and analyze scientific literature in molecular microbiology
- Apply new knowledge to discuss case studies relevant to molecular microbiology
MICR 326
Molecular Microbiology II
This course will cover concepts in molecular microbiology, including microbial cell biology, bacterial biochemistry, bacterial genetics and genomics, and molecular interactions with host or microbiome communities. Select bacteria important to human health and disease (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) will be considered in detail, highlighting advances in the understanding of their biology and pathogenesis. During the course, students will read primary scientific literature that highlights evolving technologies and experimental approaches that enable a deeper understanding of molecular microbiology. Class sessions will include active student participation in discussions and case studies.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain fundamental and advanced principles of molecular microbiology, including microbial cell biology, bacterial biochemistry, bacterial genetics and genomics, and cell-cell interactions
- Identify key questions in the field and analyze how these apply to biomedical research and product development
- Interpret and analyze scientific literature in molecular microbiology
- Apply new knowledge to discuss case studies relevant to molecular microbiology
MICR 418
Emerging Infectious Diseases I
Emerging infectious pathogens are predators that exploit changes in human biology, behavior, and the environment to overcome public health measures and host defenses. Domestic examples include Zika, Ebola, influenza, dengue, and West Nile virus. Hospital-acquired infections, usually multidrug resistant, take the lives of over 90,000 Americans annually. Vaccine-preventable diseases reemerge in populations at both ends of the wealth spectrum, such as tetanus or rabies among the world’s poorest children, measles or mumps among conscientious objectionists. In South America, dengue fever, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and persistent childhood diarrhea feature prominently. In Sub-Saharan Africa, co-infections and drug resistance increasingly frustrate the struggle against malaria, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, and HIV/AIDS. In East Asia, the recent origin of novel influenza viruses, SARS, and pan-resistant gonorrhea meets a particularly interesting nexus of economic transformation, societal upheaval, and government policy. Additional complications include an arising pandemic of hepatitis C, promiscuous drug-resistant genetic elements, rolling waves of HIV, the unfolding effects of climate change, and, of course, the specter of biological weapons. The class will survey a wide range of pathogens whose emergence relates to contemporary human, microbiological, and environmental factors and will examine how microbes have overcome medical marvels that took 150 years to develop. Common themes will be developed from almost 50 examples of today’s emerging infectious diseases. The course will explore the spectacular opportunities for research science to liberate humanity from existing infectious diseases and prepare for the next emergence.
Credits
2Prerequisites
Interest in the interface of science and medicine, and, for credit students, willingness to make one class presentation on an emerging infectious disease chosen from a list.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand where, how, and why infectious diseases emerge
- Discuss over 50 emerging infections in the context of U.S. and global health
- Get to know the impact of infectious disease and disease control on human genetics, behavior, and society
- Explore how infectious disease molds human science, art, and society
- Gain insight into important new opportunities in infectious disease
MICR 419
Emerging Infectious Diseases II
Emerging infectious pathogens are predators that exploit changes in human biology, behavior, and the environment to overcome public health measures and host defenses. Domestic examples include Zika, Ebola, influenza, dengue, and West Nile virus. Hospital-acquired infections, usually multidrug resistant, take the lives of over 90,000 Americans annually. Vaccine-preventable diseases reemerge in populations at both ends of the wealth spectrum, such as tetanus or rabies among the world’s poorest children, measles or mumps among conscientious objectionists. In South America, dengue fever, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and persistent childhood diarrhea feature prominently. In Sub-Saharan Africa, co-infections and drug resistance increasingly frustrate the struggle against malaria, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, and HIV/AIDS. In East Asia, the recent origin of novel influenza viruses, SARS, and pan-resistant gonorrhea meets a particularly interesting nexus of economic transformation, societal upheaval, and government policy. Additional complications include an arising pandemic of hepatitis C, promiscuous drug-resistant genetic elements, rolling waves of HIV, the unfolding effects of climate change, and, of course, the specter of biological weapons. The class will survey a wide range of pathogens whose emergence relates to contemporary human, microbiological, and environmental factors and will examine how microbes have overcome medical marvels that took 150 years to develop. Common themes will be developed from almost 50 examples of today’s emerging infectious diseases. The course will explore the spectacular opportunities for research science to liberate humanity from existing infectious diseases and prepare for the next emergence.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand where, how, and why infectious diseases emerge
- Discuss over 50 emerging infections in the context of U.S. and global health
- Get to know the impact of infectious disease and disease control on human genetics, behavior, and society
- Explore how infectious disease molds human science, art, and society
- Gain insight into important new opportunities in infectious disease
MICR 432
Human Virology
This course will begin with the description of diseases that turned out to be caused by viruses, such as cancer and AIDS, from antiquity to the present. This will lead to the methods of discovery of viruses, their general properties, modes of infection and propagation, genetics and evolution, viral pathogenesis, and host defense. This will be followed by a consideration of select viruses and diseases in organ systems, such as respiratory tract, nervous system, blood-born infections, and sexually transmitted infections.
Credits
2Prerequisites
College degree; knowledge of biology or consent of the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Acquire fundamental and practical knowledge of virology and human viral infections
- Discuss how viruses infect some hosts and not others, including the diverse mechanisms of infection that viruses employ
- Consider why some infections become epidemic, while others remain self-limiting
- Illustrate viral reproduction strategies and host-defense strategies
- Identify gaps in our knowledge of virology and consider why it is so difficult to control viral infections
MICR 440
Emerging Viruses I
Emerging viruses are of increasing concern both nationally and internationally with the potential to cause widespread morbidity and mortality at an unprecedented level. The current outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviruses provide ample evidence that these viral agents have the ability to emerge from their natural hosts to spread, adapt, and cause epidemic disease on a global scale. The first part of this course will focus on the biological, immunological, environmental, and social factors that contribute to emergence of Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV), seasonal influenza virus, and pandemic Influenza viruses. In addition, a review the current diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies will be discussed for these emerging pathogens.
Credits
2MICR 441
Emerging Viruses II
This a continuation of Emerging Viruses I course and will investigate additional emerging and re-emerging viruses associated with epidemic and pandemic potential, which include Ebola virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, Monkeypox virus, Nipah virus, Hanta virus, Dengue virus, Lassa Fever virus, Hendra virus, measles virus, and Enterovirus D68. This course will investigate the microbiological, environmental, and social factors that contribute to re-emergence of these viral agents as well as the current diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies being implemented.