This course provides a detailed insight into the mechanisms by which the immune system protects us from microbial pathogens, and how this knowledge is driving the development of novel vaccines, improved cancer therapies and new treatment strategies or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

The course will consist of lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials as arranged. The timetable will vary from week to week to accommodate staff and resource availability, and to meet the educational needs of the course.

None

The course will be assessed by a 90-minute problem style examination paper (20%) in the April/May diet and a 3-hour examination paper (40%) in the April / May diet and in-course assessment (40%).

In course assessment comprises four components. These are designed to test verbal/presentation skills (10%), essay writing (10%), laboratory skills (10%) and data comprehension and analysis in journal clubs using small groups with set exercises (10%).

The course aims to provide an understanding of the basic principles of immune-recognition of pathogens, together with aspects of immune dysfunction in the context of infection, autoimmunity and sterile inflammation. Pathologic processes will be described in tissue specific contexts with a focus on disease processes that are current topics of research in the School of Infection and Immunity.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ describe key aspects of immune system interactions with bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses and cancers;

■ identify and illustrate routes of microbial evasion of host immunity;

■ describe basic mechanisms by which loss of self-tolerance leads to autoimmune diseases

■ illustrate tissue-specific immunologic function and dysfunction (e.g. the lung, gut, joints, brain and skin);

■ appraise the mechanistic basis of immune-based therapies for disease;

■ design and organise oral presentations on key topics in immunology.