Clinical Immunology

Content

Credit load:         7.5 ECTS                                                 Course code:              BMW31105
Coordinator:       E.F. Knol, PhD                                         Period:          3
Examiner:           E.F. Knol, PhD                                         Timeslot:     BC
E-mail address: e.f.knol@umcutrecht.nl                      Level:   3
Phone:                 +31 6 5012 4843                                     
 
Content:
The failure or hyperactivity of the immune system leads to a kaleidoscope of disorders that are genetically set or induced by infections or cancer therapies.
During the first 4 weeks of the course, four important topics of clinical immunology will be adressed during lectures and tutorials:

• Immune deficiencies
• Transplantation of organs & bone marrow
• Tumor immunology / immunotherapy
• Autoimmune diseases + allergies

Furthermore, the programme will mainly consist of an in-depth project. Each group will write a research proposal on a certain subject. Another group will review this proposal in a formal way. A third group will study the proposal and the review and give an integrated presentation. Each group will gain experience in gaining primary data, commenting and presenting whilst working on three different subjects. Special attention will be given to the group process and giving feedback within the group.
 
Requirements for admission:
Students have to have succesfully completed equivalent courses of 15 ects covering basic immunology (level 2).
If students do not fulfill these requirements, the course coordinator can decide to assign additional study material.
 
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge & Insight
At the conclusion of this course, the student has the ability:
•             to relate immunological principles, clinical consequences, therapies, & new developments of some disorders: Primary immune deficiëncies & AIDS, Allergies & Autoimmune diseases (AID), Transplantations & Tumor immunology
•             to render examples and principles of new therapies in rheumatic disorders & animal models applied to rheumatological research
•             to describe the role of  T cell subsets in allergies and autoimmune diseases, to explain the mechanisms of (some types of) chronic inflammatory reactions, to coherently describe the relationship between tumor and immune system of the host. 
 
Skills
At the conclusion of this course, the student must be able (at the level of a (fledgeling) scientist):
•             to come up with a sound research question and write a scientific grant application about it including among other things, a state-of-the-art literature survey, study design, methods and timetable
•             to review a scientific grant application & to write an according comment incl. suggestions for improvement.
•             to present, at the level of a (fledgeling) scientist a coherent, clearly structured, critical survey of one or more scientific articles, which discusses strong and weak points, and pro’s and con’s, of a methodological approach and/or a presented concept.
 
Attitudes
At the conclusion of this course, the student must be able to exhibit:
•             a critical and inquisitive attitude towards claims concerning animal models and immunopathogenic concepts.
•             a respectful and cooperative attitude towards those with whom the student prepares presentations and conducts discussions.
 
Teaching forms and contact time:
This course consists of lectures, tutorials, including presentations by students, and a project with a symposium. There will be an average of 7 contact hours each week.
The successful outcome of the project depends on the active participation of all students. The students will be monitored for their active participation by the course coordinator.
 
Method(s) of testing:
Active participation in tutorials with presentations (10%); Midterm examination (20%); Assessment of the project by students and teachers (40%); Final examination (30%).
The student has to get an average grade of 5.5 for the midterm and final examination.
Not until this requirement is fulfilled, the assessment of the project and the tutorials are taken into account.
 
Required material:
Kindt et al.: Kuby – Immunology, 7^th edition 2013, ISBN: 1-4641-3784-6