Course Molecular Immunology

The course B226/11 Molecular Immunology is being offered by the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, spring 2024.

Criteria for participation: University degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or Master’s degree in other fields and/or postgraduate research fellows (PhD students and research-year medical students).

A basic knowledge about the immune system will help the understanding of the content. This may have be acquired from introductionary courses in the topic or appropriate self-study prior to the course, e.g, by reading standard text book such as Janeway’s Immunology

Aim: The aim of the course is to give some insights into the molecular mechanisms of immunology.

Learning outcomes: Based on the selected examples presented in the course, the student should

1. Receive a better understanding of how functions of the immune system is studied at the molecular level
2. Understand the connection between molecular mechanisms and immunodeficiencies
3. Understand the connection between molecular mechanisms and chronic inflammation disorders and how to treat them
4. Receive a better understanding of the connection between cancer and functions of the immune system, including cancer therapy
5. Be able to better contemplate quantitative aspects of molecular mechanisms and functions of the immune system

Workload: The full workload of the course is expected to be 42 hours.

Content: In the past 20 years, a vast expansion has been achieved in the possibilities of treating diseases where the immune system is involved in pathogenic mechanisms. Historically immunotherapy was largely focused on vaccination to fight microbial infections. More recently it has become possible to attenuate the immune response in chronic inflammation disorders, in particular through the use of "biological therapy". Here the pharmacologically active ingredient is often function-blocking monoclonal antibodies, which targets molecular mechanisms of the inflammatory response in a highly specific manner. Similar approaches also now play a role in cancer treatment.

By presenting research made in Aarhus University, the lecture course will review methodological aspects of research in the inflammatory response as well as up-to-date scientific findings. In this way, participants may both acquire insight on recent scientific developments as well as being offered the opportunity of networking with local researchers and students with shared research interests. The course does not intend to teach basic immunology, but with self-study the student is likely to be able to reach a level, where the presentations will make sense. In any event, the course formats opens for discussions that can alleviate the challenges in bringing together students and other researchers from many disciplines. 

In addition to the lectures, time is allocated after each presentation to permit a thorough discussion between students and the presenter.

Three select papers are also discussed with active preparation and presentation by the students.

Instructors: Various

Venue: Aarhus University. To be announced.

Participation in the course is without cost for:

• PhD students, Health Research Year students from Aarhus University
• PhD students enrolled at partner universities of the Nordoc collaboration
• PhD students from other institutions in the open market agreement for PhD courses

Course dates:

• 16 April 2024 09:00 - 15:30
• 17 April 2024 09:00 - 15:30
• 18 April 2024 09:00 - 15:30
• 19 April 2024 09:00 - 15:30