Immunotherapy 2 - 20 credits
The module will build on basic knowledge provided in previous modules with a focus on applied immunology and translating basic science into safe and effective therapeutics.
The module be divided into three sections:
Week 1: Approaches to Immunotherapy
This week will focus on immunotherapy in several different disease areas. The emphasis will be on the different immunotherapeutic approaches including peptides and targeting immunometabolism.
Week 2: Immunotherapy for Autoimmunity
The focus of this week is immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases using rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis as the exemplar diseases. Current treatments will be discussed in the context of the mechanisms of disease along with pipeline or potential future therapeutic approaches.
Week 3: Systemic Autoimmunity
This week will concentrate on two complex systemic autoimmune diseases; Sjogren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both small molecule and biological immunotherapies will be discussed in the context of our current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of these conditions.
Module attendance
Three weeks of lectures and small group tutorials delivered in person.
How will this module be assessed?
Examination (50%): One written essay out of two related to topics covered in this module (1.5 hour closed book on campus)
In course assessment (50%): A description of a piece of research (2000 words) with the aim of communicating the major concepts or conclusions to a lay audience. Students will be given a research paper relevant to immunotherapy to describe in plain English, suitable for publication in a broadsheet newspaper.
Academics involved in the delivery of this module
Dr John Reynolds (Institute of Inflammation and Ageing) and Professor Ben Fisher (Institute of Inflammation and Ageing) with other academic staff from the College of Medical and Dental Sciences including Professor Andy Clark, Professor David Wraith, Professor David Thickett, Professor Adam Croft and Professor Claudio Mauro.
Can this module be taken as a stand-alone course or is it part of a postgraduate programme?
This module is a compulsory part of the MSc Immunology and Immunotherapy
Contact details for further information
pgimmunology@contacts.bham.ac.uk