MCB 427:  Infection and Immunity (Fall 2006)

Dr. Richard Tapping                                        Dr. Ed Roy
325 Burrill Hall                                                  336A Burrill Hall
tapping@life.uiuc.edu                                     eroy@life.uiuc.edu

Office Hours:  Monday and Wednesday, 4-5 pm, or by appointment.

Overview:  MCB 427 is an introduction to the immune system as it relates to human health.  The idea that immunity is a highly regulated and integrated system that functions to eliminate infection and abnormal tissue, while retaining the integrity of self, provides the conceptual framework for this course. The first set of lectures provides a complete background to the functions of innate and adaptive immunity with respect to the organs, cells and predominant molecules of the immune system.  These basic principals provide a platform for understanding the mechanisms of normal immune function in combating infection with specific lectures related to viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and metazoan infections. The basis of autoimmunity, allergy, hypersensitivities and sepsis are presented as clinical examples of harmful disregulated immune responses.  Health problems associated with an absence of immune inactivity are illustrated by immune tolerance to cancerous cells and by a variety of inherited and acquired human immunodeficiencies.

Prerequisites: This course is offered as an advanced core option for upper-level (junior and senior) majors in MCB.  MCB 300 and MCB 354 are prerequisites for this course.

Textbook:  Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. Sixth edition, Garland Science Publishing, New York, NY. (Janeway, Travers, Walport, Shlomichik).

Lecture Handouts:  Prior to every lecture a complete set of lecture handouts will be provided for you.  In addition to highlighting the information given in the lecture, the handouts direct you to the required reading from the textbook.  The handouts also contain all the relevant lecture figures and should prove useful for making additional notes during the lectures.  The lecture handouts supplement, but do not replace the assigned readings from the textbook. 

Website:  A course website is also maintained and contains any schedule changes or announcements.  Please use this valuable resource. The URL for the course website is http://www.life.uiuc.edu/mcb/427/index.html

Examinations and Grading:  There will be 2 hourly examinations (worth 30 marks each).  These hourly exams will be offered during regular class time, as indicated on the lecture schedule.  There will also be a comprehensive cumulative final exam (worth 40 marks).  Questions will be in multiple choice or short answer format.  Minus and plus grades are not given.

Missed Exams:  Special arrangements will be considered for students with foreseeable schedule conflicts provided the instructor is given at least 2 weeks advance notice.  Missed exams may be made up, but only with a documented excuse.  All make-up exams will be essay format. Students requiring a conflict exam for the final should make arrangements with the instructor by Dec 4.

Lecture and Exam Schedule