Immunotherapy (U00985)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : BMS-4-MEimm

The aim of this course is to introduce students to immunotherapy as an alternative form of disease prevention/treatment and to develop an understanding of the concept of, and technologies involved in, harnessing the immune response to treat infections, cancers and autoimmunity.

Topics to be covered:

The course will begin with an introduction to the immune system and an outline of the human primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. Conventional immunotherapy (passive and active vaccination) will be addressed from the historical angle, and this will lead on to discussions on the role of modern day technologies in rational vaccine design. Specific topics to be covered are:

* What is immunotherapy?
* Background to a healthy immune system
* Human immunodeficiencies
* Immunotherapy - historical perspectives
* Animal models
* Monoclonal antibody technology
* Clinical use of monoclonal antibodies
* T cell and dendritic cell technologies
* Cellular therapies in clinical practice
* Clinical trials
* Genetic manipulation and the future of immunotherapy

Teaching Methods:

The course relies heavily on self-directed learning and small group work. After initial introductory talks students will work in small groups on a series of specific topics to be presented to the whole group at weekly meetings. The topics will be based around recent publications on the development of immunotherapy for immunological defects, infections, and cancers, and will cover all aspects from basic laboratory based research to clinical trials.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.

? Co-requisites : Immunology 3 is recommended.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Medical Biology (Biomedical Sciences), (School of Biomedical Sciences, Schedule T)

Other subject areas

Medical Biology (Biological Sciences), (School of Biological Sciences, Schedule K)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 45 minutes per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The intended learning outcomes of this course are to enable the student:

(a) to understand the basic biology of the immune response and how it can be manipulated to prevent or treat disease;
(b) to be familiar with the use of antibody and cellular based immunotherapies in animal models and human subjects;
(c) to develop the ability to read, understand, appraise and present research papers and reports of clinical trials;
(d) to appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of genetic manipulation techniques in the future of immunotherapy.