Techniques in Biochemistry (BMB601)

This course is designed to introduce students to a range of experimental techniques that are in routine use in a functioning biochemistry laboratory with the objective that they can understand basic principles behind these techniques and are able to understand their applicability in their future research. Whenever possible, the course combines lectures illustrating the scientific principles underlying a particular technique with the demonstration of the methodology in the laboratory.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Design appropriate strategies for cloning, expressing and purifying proteins of interest and their characterization.
2. Demonstrate the mechanisms of nucleic acid-protein interactions and their applications in solving a research problem.
3. Compare the best strategy for cell fractionation, protein isolation and purification.
4. Describe the techniques for cell culture and assays for cell death.
5. Apply the techniques for protein/enzyme analysis in research and development.

Advanced Molecular Biology (BMB602)

The field of Molecular and Cellular Biology has given scientists unprecedented control over species manipulation and development. This course will have an in-depth coverage of the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. In this course, we will discuss the nature of genes and chromosomes (the repositories of genetic information) and the mechanics of DNA synthesis and genome replication, followed by discussions on repair, recombination and transposition. We will also discuss the pathways of gene expression (transcription, RNA processing, and translation) and the mechanisms of regulating these pathways, with special emphasis on transcriptional control. Latest literature on these topics will be covered.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Explain and discuss how gene structure is important in determining function and how molecular biology techniques are used to elucidate gene organization into cells.
2. Discuss the current literature in understanding DNA replication, gene transcription, and translation, and plan and design techniques used to study these processes.
3. Compare and discuss the latest understanding of how gene expression is regulated in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
4. Discuss the different types of mutations and their repair mechanisms, and understand recombination, transposition, in relation to the pathophysiology of cancer.
5. Explain the role of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of gene expression and their significance to medicine and biomedical research.
6. Evaluate data, generate hypotheses, and design experiments to investigate a scientific problem in molecular biology.
7. Develop an in-depth literature review and present advanced knowledge in the specialized fields of molecular biology.

Advanced Cell Biology (BMB603)

This course will focus on the cellular biochemistry of higher organisms: mechanisms of cellular communication, intracellular signaling, cell growth and oncogenic transformation. During the course, two basic cellular structures will be discussed: membrane and mitochondria, two important key players in cell signaling and cell death. Concepts like cell signaling, cell cycle, oxidative stress and cell death will be reviewed. The course will end with an introductory lecture on stem cell biology. Recent experimental findings and new approaches used to investigate how cells work will be emphasized. Students will also be taught how to explore the cell biology literature and to critically evaluate scientific publications in some of the topics.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Analyze the structure of cellular membranes and the different transport mechanisms in eukaryotic cells.
2. Classify the signaling pathways by which cells communicate and respond to external signals and their role in cancer cell survival.
3. Summarize the post-translational modifications and folding mechanism of proteins and how they are transported to their respective target membranes and organelles in a cell.
4. Analyze the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell cycle and the alterations that can lead to cancer.
5. Discuss the functions of mitochondria and oxidative stress in cellular defense and cell survival.
6. Compare the different signaling processes involved in the development and destruction of eukaryotic cells.

Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (BMB604)

This course is designed to prepare students in learning advanced cellular biochemistry and metabolism under physiological and pathophysiological conditions for successful careers in academia and biotechnology industries. The course also provides enhanced education opportunities for students who wish to extend their knowledge, experience, and opportunities as independent scientists in academic research at universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, health/biomedical science management or teaching. In this course, advanced cellular biochemistry will be explained to signify the importance of metabolism in normal physiology and pathophysiological conditions. Faculty lectures and students reports will focus on these.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Apply the knowledge of Biochemistry to advance the understanding the role of nutrition in health diseases.
2. Evaluate the role of different organs/tissues in coordinating the body metabolism in health and diseases.
3. Determine the key metabolic changes in etiology and pathophysiology of common diseases such as blood, liver disorders, obesity and diabetes.
4. Analyze the metabolic changes in diseases associated with lipid, protein, carbohydrates, amino acids and nucleic acids metabolism.
5. Apply the knowledge of cellular metabolism in stem cell self- renewal and differentiation in biomedical research.

Special topics in Biochemistry (BMB606)

This course will provide students the chance to rotate through the laboratory of a potential supervisor to learn about the various projects in progress in that laboratory with emphasis on acquainting themselves with the type of research work and techniques being used. Regular attendance (one hour per week) and active participation of the student in observing and learning about these projects is of great importance. The students should study the literature provided by their respective supervisors and familiarize themselves with the research activities being carried out in the laboratory chosen by them.

Credit Hours : 1

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Illustrate the projects being carried out in the chosen laboratory
2. Evaluate the various techniques being conducted in the laboratory to achieve its stated goals
3. Analyze the literature provided by the supervisor to study the research topic(s) under study
4. Apply the knowledge gained during the laboratory rotation to develop a potential thesis project along with the involvement of the supervisor

Recent Advances in Molecular Biology (BMSC700)

The field of Molecular and Cellular Biology has given scientists unprecedented control over species manipulation and development. This course will have an in-depth coverage of the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. We will discuss the nature of genes and chromosomes (the repositories of genetic information) and the mechanics of DNA synthesis and genome replication, followed by discussions on repair, recombination and transposition. We will also discuss the pathways of gene expression (transcription, RNA processing, and translation) and the mechanisms of regulating these pathways, with special emphasis on transcriptional control.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. In depth and comprehensive knowledge of molecular biology, including DNA replication, recombination, and repair, transcription, translation, and gene regulation, as well as the emerging role of regulatory RNAs in these processes.
2. Up-to-date on current literature on advanced concepts in molecular biology, application of techniques used to study these processes, and their significance to biomedical research and medicine.
3. Well-versed in implications of advances in molecular biology in terms of challenges, trends, and developments in the fields of biomedical sciences and molecular medicine.
4. Advanced skills in data evaluation, hypotheses generation, and experimental design development to solve scientific problems in molecular biology.
5. Integration of acquired knowledge in molecular biology to deepen new concepts and methodologies and/or identify new research opportunities/problems in the student’s area of research.
6. In-depth understanding of how to analyze, evaluate, interpret, and critique primary scientific literature in specialized fields of molecular biology.
7. Can demonstrate competency in using knowledge in molecular biology and skills to analyze problems involving biomedical sciences and molecular medicine, articulate these with peers/team members/other stake holders, and undertake remedial measures/studies, etc.
8. Can evaluate, construct, and solve contemporary problems related to molecular biology that can be used to prevent and treat diseases.
9. Can implement methodologies and/or practices to illustrate the relationship of molecular biology to allied fields.

Advanced Research Techniques (BMSC701)

This course aims to give a broad but comprehensive introduction to the majority of the important techniques used today in biomedical research. It aims to give a background in the theory, practise and applications of the various techniques, as well as their limitations and pitfalls. It is hoped that, after having completed the course, students will be well equipped to embark upon research projects with a useful knowledge of the techniques covered and how to apply them to address specific research-based questions, and also how to interpret the data derived from these applications. It is not the aim of the course to teach students how to perform various procedures - this can only be achieved with extensive, repeated, supervised, hands-on laboratory training which is obviously not feasible in this context. The format of each session may vary according to the individual needs of each topic or presenter. Most session will commence with a tutorial covering the principles and practice of the technique at hand, followed by a less formal session where instrumentation can be seen in operation, experimental examples can be examined, and raw data can be viewed and discussed.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Master advanced research techniques to help address specific research questions.
2. Evaluate, Interpret and use the results obtained from advanced research techniques.
3. Demonstrate competency in presenting research articles and topics of current and future significance in biomedical sciences.

Advances in General Pathology (BMSC702)

The course is mainly General histopathology, which deals with the basic concept of the various disease processes. This program offers the students a comprehensive review of the theoretical and practical aspects of general histopathology. The students will be exposed to formal lectures and laboratory practicals, which will emphasize the most modern concepts and methodologies in the fields of cell injury, inflammation, tissue repair, infection, hemodynamic changes, vascular disorders, environmental disorders and neoplasia.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Nature of cell injury and the various responses a living cell may undertake when subjected to injury.
2. Mechanisms and systems available for fending off and responding to various forms of challenges in injury including the inflammatory response, immune response, function of the phagocytic cells, participation of the complement and clotting systems and other serum factors.
3. Functions of various organ systems, their interact with one another, and mechanism diseases.
4. Methods to prevent nutritional and occupational disorders.
5. Basic pathologic processes that underlie the development of neoplasia, thrombosis, infarction, and pathologic immune response.
6. Foundation of knowledge of the basic pathologic processes on which subsequent studies of systemic disease can be built.

Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Defense (BMSC703)

This course will explore ways in which microbial pathogens, particularly bacteria and viruses, interact with their hosts. Topics that will be covered include bacterial-host cell interactions, role of bacterial toxins in pathogenicity, viral infections and escape strategies, emerging and re-emerging viral infections, host defense and innate/adaptive immunity, exaggerated immune responses and immunopathology, virus-host cell interactions in cancerogenesis, and strategies for vaccine development.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. The concepts of virulence, pathogenicity, commensalism, symbiosis, opportunism, parasitism, emerging/re-emerging infections, and the role of pathogenic microbes in cancerogenesis.
2. Of diverse mechanisms used by pathogenic microbes to invade hosts.
3. The molecular mechanisms pathogenic microbes use to evade the mammalian host immune response.
4. The defense mechanisms employed by the host against microbial infections.
5. Classical and contemporary strategies that can be used to control, prevent, and treat infections resulting from pathogenic microbes and be able to critically evaluate, concisely construct, and clearly present these ideas

Current Advances in Pharmacological Sciences (BMSC704)

Pharmacology is an interdisciplinary field. This PhD course tackles major recent findings in divers’ area of pharmacology with a focus on cancer pharmacology, neurodegeneration and cognitive functions, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This course emphasis is on the molecular mechanism of action of the most recent applied and experimental drugs including monoclonal antibodies, tissue engineering advances, and genome editing progress. Therefore, the contents of the course will remain dynamic and evolve from year to year depending on what is viewed as significant advances in that year. It is intended that the seminar should provide a more didactic and interactive meeting. During this course, students will also be introduced to the most advanced research methodologies and will have extensive training to develop their skills, including ethics and communication that will be achieved via written assessments and oral presentations and discussions.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate comprehensive and critical analysis of the most advanced knowledge in cancer research and oncology.
2. Demonstrate comprehensive and critical analysis of the most advanced knowledge in the pharmacology of monoclonal antibodies and natural drugs, tissue engineering, and genome editing.
3. Demonstrate comprehensive and critical analysis of the most advanced knowledge in neurodegenerative disease, cognitive functions, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
4. Evaluate, critique, and suggest ideas for the improvement of advanced methodologies in cancer research, neurodegenerative, cognitive, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases.
5. Comprehend, interpret, critically evaluate, and clearly present recent scientific advances in pharmacological sciences, identify new research opportunities and demonstrate adherence to high ethical standards.

Advances in Genetics (BMSC705)

This course is designed to cover selected topics and recently published articles that are influencing in a significant manner our understanding of human genetics and genomics with emphasis on recent advances in genomic technologies and disease mechanisms. Therefore, the contents of the course might vary from year to year depending on what is viewed as a significant advance in that year.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in genetics and genomics by competently demonstrating the ability to identify and succinctly summarize as well as clearly present the latest advances in the field.
2. Critically evaluate and expertly summarize research and review articles with significant impact on our understanding of genomic variation in human health and disease including disease pathogenesis.
3. Concisely construct and clearly present scientific material that demonstrates the latest technological and conceptual advances in genetics and genomics.
4. Independently identify, interpret and clearly present research findings and topics of current and future significance in genetics and genomics.

Advanced Cancer Biology (BMSC706)

This course will focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence. Advances in cancer treatment, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy will also be discussed. This course will be based around seminars and interactive discussion sessions focused on the latest developments in the field accompanied by critical evaluation of published research articles. The content of the course will evolve from year to year depending on the latest advances in the field. During the interactive group sessions, there will be a round table discussion of selected research papers (which will be pre-circulated to all students) concerning important topics in cancer. The students will learn to dissect the study’s major aims, methodology and logic employed to address the question, the strengths and weaknesses of the results, and their implications. The emphasis will be on the methodological, conceptual and practical aspects of the research papers in the field. An important part of this course will be to develop the student’s ability to critically evaluate published research papers. The manuscript for evaluation will be selected by the course coordinators and provided to each student at the beginning of the course. In consultation with the course coordinator and co-coordinator, each student will also select a research paper/topic and prepare it for presentation to the whole class at the end of the course.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Appraise the recent advances related to the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence.
2. Explain and evaluate the principles underlying personalized medicine approaches in cancer management.
3. Demonstrate in depth knowledge of the cutting-edge methodologies, including bioinformatics tools, used in cancer research, understand the positive and challenging sides of experimental and animal models in cancer research and employ the relevant laboratory methods to address research objectives.
4. Independently formulate a research question in the area of cancer research, identify relevant methods to address the issue and, based on this, write a project plan including relevant background information, an appropriate aim, and a realistic work plan.
5. Critically analyze and discuss articles within the field of cancer research and prepare presentations on selected key topics.

Medical Cell and Tissue Biology (BMSC707)

This course will guide students in learning advanced information on the microscopic structure of the cells and tissues of the human body and the biological features of their components. The correlation of structure and function at the cellular and molecular levels will be emphasized in lectures and laboratory sessions. The application of cell and tissue biology to research and clinical disciplines will be emphasized. For each topic, an introduction to the cellular architecture and specialized function of a given tissue will provide the necessary background that will explore contemporary research into the molecular and cellular basis of human diseases involving that tissue.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Compare the structural and functional components of body cells and tissues.
2. Explain the molecular control of major cell biological events.
3. Analyze the cellular and subcellular features in a tissue section using microscope.
4. Design an experiment for tissue analysis.
5. Evaluate research article investigating cell biological features.

Advanced Topics in Neuroscience (BMSC708)

Advanced Topics in Neuroscience is a course that focuses on specific contents that are particularly relevant to modern neuroscience and pathophysiology of the nervous system, allowing students to discuss, critique, and interpret primary research literature in the field. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate comprehensive and integrated knowledge at the frontier of this discipline and explain critically the highly complex and diverse matters in this field. In addition, the course will explore training and practice on translational idea generation and refinement. It is a modular course that provides broad base to sample contemporary understanding and developments on normal and abnormal brain functioning, allowing each student to focus on selected topic of interest. The course will focus on specific contents that are especially relevant to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, how the nervous system works and what controls our behaviors, including consciousness learning and memory, brain plasticity, and motor functions. However, it also covers the most recent developments in the neurobiology of diseases, including neurodegeneration, movement disorders, autism, depression, stress related diseases and other neurological and psychiatric diseases. The course will also cover principles of the most recent cutting-edge technologies available to study brain function like connectomics, super-resolution microscopy, functional MRI, EEG, electrophysiology and calcium imaging. The course is composed of weekly seminar series in which various topics about modern neuroscience are discussed. Seminars are also presented by students or when suitable by visiting outside neuroscientists. At the end of the course, student will submit a reflection paper on a chosen topic of special interest/thesis relevance. The reflection paper can be structured as a literature synthesis, opinion paper, theoretical paper, or a research grant proposal. Together, the seminars and reflection paper will prepare the student for the course assessment during which the candidate will be examined on deep comprehension and critical thinking of a broader research topic/paper.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate comprehensive and overreaching knowledge of selected neuroscience topics.
2. Discuss and compare current research advances in selected neuroscience topics.
3. Evaluate and interpret the implications of the primary field of study in terms of challenges, trends, and developments in a social or global context.
4. Demonstrate integration of the acquired knowledge in Neuroscience to develop new concepts and methodologies and/or identify new research opportunities/problems in student’s area of research.
5. Apprise, critique, and interpret primary research literature in Neuroscience related to student’s area of research.
6. Demonstrate competency in using Neuroscience knowledge and skills to analyze problems involving the nervous system, articulate these with peers/team members/other stake holders, and undertake remedial measures/studies, etc.
7. Evaluate, concisely construct, and clearly present classical and contemporary approaches that can be used to study the brain functions.
8. Implement methodologies and/or practices to investigate the relationship between distinct dysfunction of the nervous system and the associated disease.

Advanced Pathophysiology (BMSC709)

Pathophysiology identifies the changes that occur when a function of the body is compromised by disease, injury or other abnormality. In Advanced Pathophysiology course students will explore the application of advanced knowledge of the complex physiological functions and pathophysiological processes to understand the fundamental mechanisms of organ health and disease. The course will be focusing on pathophysiology of three bodily systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal system as major focus points of research in the department. Selected topics from other bodily systems will also be explored. The course will enable students to discuss, critique, interpret and eventually contrast primary research literature in each and between those fields. At the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate comprehensive and integrated knowledge at the frontier of pathophysiology and explain critically the highly complex and diverse matters in this field. The course has modular structure with up 30% of the topics modifiable aiming to provide broad yet targeted knowledge and understanding of abnormal bodily functioning. Particular attention is given to the most recent cutting-edge technologies available to examine the alterations in function as well as adaptive, integrative and regulatory mechanisms of bodily dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, organ and system levels. The course combines seminars, lectures and presentations, and focused integration sessions led by students and faculty. At the end of the course, students will have to submit a reflection paper on a chosen topic of special interest/thesis relevance. The reflection paper can be structured as a literature synthesis, opinion paper, theoretical paper, or a research grant proposal. Finally, the course will insert a small focused discussion, training and practice on translational idea generation and refinement; here the main emphasis will be on comparative research of underlying pathophysiological processes across bodily systems. At the end of the course, students are expected to demonstrate deep comprehension and critical thinking of a pathophysiologic processes.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Apply comprehensive knowledge of main concepts related to physiological alterations and pathophysiological processes in different diseases manifested across the lifespan.
2. Apprise current research in pathophysiology related to selected pathophysiological processes across the lifespan.
3. Elaborate normal and abnormal compensatory mechanisms as the body response to disease.
4. Analyze the impact of cultural, developmental, genetic, environmental, behavioral, and economic factors that may influence pathophysiological alterations and contribute to increased risk of disease.
5. Demonstrate all-encompassing knowledge of methodologies used to examine pathophysiological processes at different levels of complexity.
6. Demonstrate integration of the acquired knowledge in pathophysiology to develop new concepts and methodologies and/or identify new research opportunities/problems in student’s area of research.
7. Demonstrate competency and skills to articulate pathophysiology problems with peers/team members/other stake holders, and undertake remedial measures/studies, etc.
8. Evaluate, concisely construct, and clearly present classical and contemporary approaches that can be used to study normal and abnormal bodily functions.

Computational Biochemistry and Artificial Intelligence for Medical Applications (BMSC710)

Computational sciences and artificial intelligence have been integrated in ubiquitous applications in the fields of sciences and medicine. This technology serves as a powerful tool to mark advancements in research, discoveries and medical practice. This course is composed of two parts: Computational Biochemistry and Artificial Intelligence. The first part covers computational sciences with focus on molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics. It is a combination of theory and computational practical sessions. The theory will include the fundamentals and limitations of each of the methods, and the practical sessions will involve hands-on applications on chemical or biochemical systems. The second part covers artificial intelligence and its applications. It includes the fundamentals of statistics and machine learning algorithms. The theory of this part will be complemented by hands-on sessions that involve model building, technique validation and decision analysis, with focus on medical applications.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• CHEM112 with a minimum grade D
• BIOC160 with a minimum grade D

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Discuss the fundamentals of computational biochemical sciences and their applications.
2. Build advanced knowledge about the current applications and the future of artificial intelligence.
3. Construct scientific hypotheses, and design experiments to tackle scientific problems through computational tools.
4. Integrate acquired knowledge to simulate and analyze experiments related to computational biochemistry as well as to evaluate artificial intelligence models.
5. Reflect competency in using computational skills to evaluate, construct and answer contemporary scientific and medical research questions.
6. Debate advances, methodologies and practices with peers.

Advanced Human Microbiome (BMSC711)

The microbiome is the genomic content of all microorganisms (microbiota) inhabiting different parts of the human body. Alterations in microbiome composition have been associated with many diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, cancers and diabetes. Multi-omics techniques, including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses, are used to better understand how the microbiota are acting on and interacting with the hosts in health and disease. This course will provide the students with deep understanding of microbial communities causing different types of diseases, their diversity, interaction with the immune system, modulation and impact on human health. Students will be exposed to modern molecular techniques and bioinformatics tools for profiling and analyzing microbiome data. They will also learn how to integrate these data to develop a holistic understanding of the interactions between host and microbial communities in both health and disease states.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• MMIM601 or MMIM602 or 

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Describe the importance of healthy human microbiome, composition and function
2. Evaluate and assess the complexity of the human microbiome communities using next generation sequencing
3. Adapt and integrate different bioinformatics tools for the analysis of microbiome data
4. Discuss microbiota interaction with the immune system
5. Discuss the links between human microbiome and diseases
6. Describe the methods used in the modulation of human microbiome and their impact on health
7. Critically evaluate, discuss, and interpret primary research literature in the field of microbiome

Advanced Molecular and Cellular Virology (BMSC712)

Virology is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field. This course is tailored for PhD students seeking to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge developments in virology, and to explore the intricate molecular and cellular mechanisms governing viral infections and associated diseases. The course will provide an in-depth examination of the latest breakthroughs and methodologies in virology research, encompassing a diverse range of topics, including viral entry and replication, host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion strategies, oncogenic viruses and antiviral therapies. Additionally, students will learn how to identify potential areas of novel research, how to write a seed grant and identify appropriate funding bodies.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• MMIM603 or BMB602 or MMIM602 or BMB603 or BMSC700

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Discuss the principles of viral epidemiology, transmission, replication, gene expression.
2. Demonstrate how viruses enter cells and can lead to cell injury and death
3. Compare how different viruses adopt different strategies to evade the immune responses.
4. Explain in detail the current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of important viral diseases affecting humans.
5. Design laboratory experiments to investigate virus biology
6. Critically evaluate and present research findings to peers and faculty.
7. Identify novel areas of research and prepare grant proposals

Advanced Immunology (BMSC713)

The field of immunology has witnessed a huge surge in knowledge over the past 50 years, becoming one of the most dynamic and exciting areas of medical sciences. Dysregulated immune reactions are the basis of many human diseases, including cancer, inflammation, autoimmunity, allergy, neurodegeneration and immunodeficiencies. The Advanced Immunology course provides an intensive and in‐depth examination of fundamental concepts in immunology, including (1) the interplay between innate and adaptive immune systems; (2) function of immune regulatory circuits; and (3) immunopathogenesis of selected human diseases. Our improved understanding of the immune system has provided the foundation for the development of new modalities for treating chronic diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and autoinflammatory disorders.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• MMIM601
• MMIM602
• BMB603
• MMIM608
• MMIM609

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Describe the cellular and molecular basis of the innate and adaptive immune systems
2. Illustrate the integration of immune responses in the setting of microbial infections and the requirements for protective immunity
3. Discuss neuroimmune interactions and their role in the regulation of inflammatory disorders
4. Explain the cellular and molecular basis of autoimmune disorders
5. Analyze the interplay between the immune system and cancer and the development of cancer immunotherapy as a novel treatment modality
6. Evaluate the methods used to assess immune status in health and disease
7. Appraise and evaluate primary research publications in the field of immunology