Spring 2026 - MBB 727 G100
Immune Responses in Health and Disease (3)
Class Number: 5189
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, Fri, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Mark Brockman
mbrockma@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
One of MBB 326, HSCI 326, 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:
The immune system is a complex and delicately balanced system of many sub-systems, and its action often has both good and deleterious impacts. The theme of this course will be to deconstruct the simplified one-dimensional view of the immune system as a force of protection for the good of the host, and to explore its dual roles in maintaining health but also in causing or being involved in disease. Furthermore, pathogens interact in complex ways with the immune system, often subverting it for their own gain or redirecting it to cause future health problems in the host.
Grading
- Independent Project Report 50%
- Individual presentation 25%
- Paper presentation/leadership 15%
- Participation 10%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Original research articles and review articles
RECOMMENDED READING:
Janeway's Immunology, 10th Ed., Murphy, Weaver, and Berg W.W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393884876
The Immune System, 5th Ed., Parham, W.W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393533354
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
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
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.