BME3011

Infection and immunity ( 6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Professor Ban-Hok Toh (Immunology)

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: The following topics will be explored: How the immune system works; how the immune system deals with infections; structure and function of antibodies; genetic basis of the diversity of immunological recognition systems (antibodies and T cell receptors), mechanisms of tolerance and autoimmunity, antibodies in medicine and biotechnology, genetics of transplantation and transfusion, microbial strategies of immune evasion, HIV-host/pathogen interactions, emerging infections, diseases of the third world.

Objectives: The aim of this unit is to build on BMS2052, to provide a more detailed and deep understanding of how the immune system works, how the immune system goes wrong, the application of immunology to medicine and biotechnology, the ecological relationships between microbes and their hosts, how these relationships change with infection and the emergence of infectious diseases.

Assessment: Examination (3 hour): 60% + Tutor's assessment: 20% + Essay: 10% + Practical work component: 10%

Contact Hours: 2 lectures and 3 hours of laboratory/tutorial session per week

Prerequisites: BMS2052

Prohibitions: IMM3031