Course: Immunology

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Course title Immunology
Course code KME/216
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Optional
Form of instruction unspecified
Work placements unspecified
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Lencová Radka, Mgr.
  • Kotounová Eliška, Mgr. MSc.
  • Kovaříková Anna, Mgr.
  • Prančlová Veronika, Mgr.
  • Palus Martin, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Langhansová Helena, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Lieskovská Jaroslava, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Chmelař Jindřich, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Beránková Zuzana, Mgr.
  • Kopecký Jan, prof. RNDr. CSc.
  • Frejlachová Andrea, Mgr.
Course content
Content of lectures 1. Innate immunity - overview of basic functions: role of the immune system, basic concepts, innate and acquired immunity, regulation of immunity. 2. Experimental systems in immunology. Cells and organs of the immune system: lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, granulocytic cells, primary and secondary lymphoid organs, recirculation of lymphoid cells. 3. Antigens: chemical and biological properties, adjuvants, haptens, viral and bacterial antigens, mitogens. Structure and function of immunoglobulins: antigenic determinants on immunoglobulins, Properties and functions of immunoglobulin classes. 4. Antigen-antibody interactions: affinity, avidity, cross-reactivity. Immunochemical reactions. Monoclonal antibodies. 5. Organisation and expression of immunoglobulin genes: generation of antibody diversity. 6. Major histocompatibility complex: structure and function of MHC molecules. T-cell receptor: generation of TCR diversity, MHC restriction, development of T-cells. 7. Cytokines: structure and function of cytokines and their receptors. Development of the humoral immune response: primary and secondary response, antigen presentation, role of cytokines. 8. Cell-mediated immunity: CTL-mediated cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, delayed-type hypersensitivity. Regulation of immunity and immunological tolerance: cytokine-mediated and idiotypic, immunosuppression. Immunologic tolerance. 9. The complement system: classical and alternative pathways of complement activation, regulation. Hypersensitive reactions: immediate and delayed hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, immune complex-mediated hypersensitivity. 10. Vaccines: inactivated, attenuated, subunit, recombinant. Immune response to infectious diseases: viral and bacterial infections, parasitic diseases. 11. Transplantation immunology: transplantation antigens, mechanisms of graft rejection, immunosuppression. Immune response to tumors: malignant transformation of cells, tumor antigens, cancer immunotherapy. Content of practicals 1. Detection of nitric oxide 2. Indirect immunofluorescence 3. Induction and detection of cytokines 4. Hybridoma technology - production of monoclonal antibodies 5. Titration of interferon 6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 7. TNF bioassay 8. Immunomagnetic separation 9. Flow cytometry 10.Western blotting

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Laboratory
  • Class attendance - 50 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 100 hours per semester
  • Preparation for classes - 10 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Basic course of immunology for students of Bc. and Mgr. study programme. The main aim is to get acquainted with the structure and function of the immune system, with natural and adaptive immunity and their regulation. Lecture is a prerequisite for following lectures like Immunology II and Immunity to Parasites. The aim of the exercise is to master selected methods including mechanisms of natural and adaptive, humoral and cellular immunity. Particular emphasis is placed on anti-infectious immunity. Passing the exam is conditioned by answering at least 70% of the questions asked and at least 80% participation in the practicals.
Students will get a basic idea of the structure and function of the immune system
Prerequisites
Biochemistry (UCU/036), Essentials of medical biology (KME/085), basic laboratory skill

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination

To pass the course, student has to answer at least 70 % questions during the exam and attend at least 80 % of practical classes. Student draws 3 questions and must answer all three at least to grade 3.
Recommended literature
  • Coico R., Sunshine G.: Immunology a Short Course (6th ed.), Wiley-Blackwell 2009, 391 pp..
  • J. Krejsek, O. Kopecký: Klinická imunologie, Nucleus HK 2004, 941 str..
  • J. Kuby: Immunology (3rd ed.), W.H. Freeman and Company 1997, 664 pp..
  • Jiřina Bartůňková Radek Špíšek Tomáš Brdička Václav Hořejší. Základy imunologie, 6. vydání. TRITON, 2017. ISBN 978-80-7553-250-3.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Parasitology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Clinical Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Biology Education (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Secondary Schools Teacher Training in Biology (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biomedical Laboratory Techniques (1) Category: Biology courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biology for future teachers (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Experimental Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Biology Education (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Secondary Schools Teacher Training in Biology (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer