BIOlOGY AND GENETICS OF IMMUNE DISORDERS



BIOlOGY AND GENETICS OF IMMUNE DISORDERS

Bio 347 SPRING 2008

Instructor: Bob G. Sanders 429 Patterson Laboratory Telephone: 471-7441

eMail: bgsanders@mail.utexas.edu

Office Hours: By appointment

Time: TTh 9:30-11:00

Place: BUR 116

Unique Number: 52180-52195

Discussion Groups: Unique # Day Time Place

52180 M 11-12AM RLM 6.124

52185 M 12-1 PM GEA 127

52190 TH 1-2 PM RAS 211B

52195 TH 2-3 PM MEZ- 1.212

Teaching Assistant: Haixin Li

eMail: haixin@mail.utexas.edu

Office Hours: By appointment

Web Site address: sbs.utexas.edu/sanders/bio347

Description:

The course will emphasize molecular and genetic aspects of the immune response system (IRS), and IRS involvement in immune disorders and disease processes. A background in genetics or immunology (or both) will be helpful. The course material is divided into three sections.

Section I will consist of lectures on genetic and immune principles that play key roles in health and disease. Since it is expected that there will be diversity in genetic and immune background knowledge among the students, this section will cover basic concepts in genetics and immunology as well as immune techniques/procedures, providing important background information for appreciation of human disorders with genetic and immune components. Clinical data regarding specific immune/genetic disorders will be covered for all three sections. A comprehensive exam will be given on this material.

Section II will consist of lectures on genetics and immunology on the major histocompatibility complex and involvement in disease processes. This section will also cover T cell receptors (TCR), differentiation and activation of T and B cells, cytokines, and relationship of MHC and TCR in immune responses. The objective is to achieve an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the biology, genetics, and immune cell interactions in order to appreciate and better understand immune disorders in section III. A comprehensive exam will be given on this material.

Section III will consist of lectures on molecular, genetic, and immune aspects of hypersensitivity, transplantation, AIDS, tolerance and autoimmunity, and cancer. We will examine the role of genetics and the immune response system in these diseases/disorders in greater detail than the information provided in chapters in your text. Thus, reading assignments from the scientific literature will be included in this section. A comprehensive exam will be given on this material.

Grading:

The course grade will be based on four exams (three hourly exams + comprehensive final examination). The four exams will be equal in value. Your lowest exam grade will be dropped. Note: Exam re-grade policy: For re-grade of exam, you must hand the exam back to the TA within one week after the exam is returned. No make up exams are given. Individuals missing one exam have the opportunity to drop the 0 grade on the missed exam and replace that grade with the grade made on the fourth (final) exam. Note #1: Final grade is based on total points from three exams, not an average of points from three exams. Note #2: Final grade is based only on performance on exams i.e., no mechanism for extra credit.

The following serves as an example for determination of your course grade:

Exam 1 90 points

Exam 2 75 points (drop exam 2)

Exam 3 90 points

Exam 4 85 points

Total Points 265 points (exams 1, 3, 4)

A = 270-300, B= 240-269, C = 210-239, D = 180-209, F = 0-179.

Discussion Sections: You are encouraged to attend one of the four discussion sessions per week. Students who attend discussion sessions normally make the highest grades in class.

Homework: No "official" homework. For in depth information on selected subjects, students may desire to read selected references presented at the end of each chapter.

Section III will require reading from the scientific literature. References that can be computer down-loaded will be provided for sections III.

Prerequisites: Upper division standing required. Bio 325 (Genetics) and/or Bio 360K (Immunology) with minimum grade of "C", six additional hours of Bio. Sci., and a GPA in Biological Sciences of least 2.0; or consent of instructor.

Text: Immunology (Goldsby). 2 (Sixth edition, 2007).Richard A. Goldsby, Thomas J. Kindt, Barbara A. Osborne, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN: 0-7167-4947-5.

COURSE OUTLINE

I. IMMUNE RESPONSE SYSTEM

January 15-February 12 (9 class periods)

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A. Overview of immune/genetic involvement Ch 1

B. Cells and organs of the immune system Ch 2

C. Innate immunity Ch 3

D. Antigens and antibodies Ch 4

E. Immunoglobulins: Structure and function Ch 5

F. Organization & expression of Ig genes Ch 5

G. Antigen & antibody interactions Ch 6

FIRST EXAMINATION (February 12)

II. MHC, T AND B CELLS

February 19-March 25 (9 class periods)

Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14

A. Major histocompatibility complex Ch 8

B. T cell receptor Ch 9

D. T cell maturation, activation & differentiation Ch 10

E. B cell generation, activation, & differentiation Ch 11

F. Cytokines Ch 12

G. Cell-mediated cytotoxic responses Ch 14

SECOND EXAMINATION (March 27)

III. THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

April 1-22 (7 class periods) (Selected research papers will be assigned)

A. Experimental systems Ch 22

B. Hypersensitivity Reactions Ch 15

C. Tolerance and autoimmunity Ch 16

D. Transplantation immunology Ch 17

E. AIDS and other immunodeficiencies Ch 20

F. Cancer and the immune system Ch 21

THIRD EXAMINATION (April 24)

April 29 Return third exam, review

May 1 (last day of class) Review for final exam

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (May 7 2-5 PM)

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