Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - MBB 727 G100

Immune System II: Immune Responses in Health and Disease (3)

Class Number: 2575

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, Fri, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    MBB 426 or HSCI 426 or permission of the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Defects in the immunologic response to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. The mechanisms of action of vaccines. The causes of immune-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity reactions (including asthma and allergy) and organ transplant rejection. The reaction of the immune system to cancer and immunotherapy for cancer. Students with credit for MBB 427, HSCI 427, or HSCI 727 may not complete MBB 727 for credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Many diseases are caused by dysregulation of the immune system. This course will examine the immunological mechanisms underlying human immunopathologies with emphasis on diagnostics and therapies, especially emerging immunotherapies (therapeutic antibodies, CAR-T cells, cellular engineering), as well as vaccination. 

Lecture Topics
1.      Review of innate and adaptive immunity 
2.      Autoimmunity
3.      Immunity to microbes 
4.      HIV 
5.      Vaccines and their mechanisms of action 
6.      Transplantation immunology 
7.      Immunity to tumors 
8.      Hypersensitivity disorders 
9.      Allergy
10.    Congenital immunodeficiencies

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Understand the physiological, cellular, molecular and genetic bases of a range of immunopathologies. Develop insights into immunosurveillance and how cancer and organ transplantation overcome immune responses. Gain depth in the use of current technologies, including immunotherapies. Improve skills developed in MBB/HSCI 426/726 to review and critique papers in the primary literature, in both oral and written formats.
 

Grading

  • Non-cumulative exams (3 x 20%) 60%
  • One individual in-class presentation with written summary 30%
  • Class participation 10%

NOTES:

Lectures: asynchronous (pre-recorded, available online)
Tutorials: synchronous (students are expected to attend scheduled tutorials remotely)
Assessments: asynchronous (take-home exams/papers/assignments)
Final exam:  No

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  • access to high-speed internet
  • computer

REQUIRED READING:

Original research articles and review articles

The Immune System, 4th Ed., Peter Parham, 2015. Garland Science.
ISBN: 978-0-8153-4466-7

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).