2.24804 INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY

This course is conducted by the Discipline of Immunology. This is a one -semester course covering basic immunology and immune system. The nature of antigen, antibody - structure and properties. Cells involved in immune response, defence mechanisms. Overview of the host defence mechanisms, natural or innate immunity; adaptive immunity. Humoral immunity; cell mediated immunity. Active and passive immunity. The complement system, classical and alternative pathways. Complement activation cascade. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) its roles and applications in tissue typing. The incorporation of practical immunology involves Antigen-Antibody interactions. Principles of immunological tests. Latex agglutination, Widal reaction. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Immunoprecipitation of gel (Gel diffusion). Isolation of Lymphocytes.

Aims: To promote awareness of the human body's defence system against diseases and the techniques used to monitor its efficiency.

Contact hours: 6 hours per week (2 lectures, 1 tutorial, 3 practical)

Assessment: Course work (assignments, tests, practical write-up, oral presentations) 60%, final exam (theory & practical) 40%.