Introduction to Immunology with Laboratory Techniques

Immunology is the study of the immune system, the body's built-in defense system. This course covers an integrated introduction to immunology and uses techniques used in research and diagnostic laboratories. This is a hands-on course with an emphasis on laboratory approaches that illustrate concepts of how the immune system works. The immunological techniques used include identifying proteins in cells using fluorescence microscopy and western blot and analyzing why cells move towards certain chemicals. For example, when diagnosing certain autoimmune diseases, scientists use fluorescence microscopy to look at where proteins reside inside of cells. The laboratory component is a way to observe experiments, learn how to design experiments, and to analyze data. All laboratory exercises are demonstrated during class hours. The non-laboratory sessions cover the theoretical aspects of the practical laboratory approaches and the ways that research is performed to understand immunology. The course also covers how to critically discuss scientific literature and how to create and present scientific data.