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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Biological Sciences : Immunology

Undergraduate Course: Th2 in Immunity, Allergy and Health (IMMU10013)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Biological Sciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThe dichotomy of T cell responses into Th1 and Th2 remains a major paradigm in immunology, despite the appearance of multiple other T cell subsets. This unit will focus on the development and functions of the Th2 arm, which is uniquely responsible for a suite of essential immune defences (eg against helminth parasites), but also associated with specific pathologies (eg allergy) as well as body maintenance functions (wound healing and metabolism). By studying Th2, we can readily illustrate and understand the regulation and balance within the immune system that dictates when different modes of immunity are selected or repressed, thereby leading to better therapies for infection or immune dysfunction.

A further fascinating aspect of this topic is the complementarity between the innate and adaptive immune systems, particularly with the recent definition of innate lymphoid cells which mirror the functions of Th2 cells. Moreover, there is a important set of "Type 2" innate effector cells, including eosinophils, basophils and alternatively activated macrophages, which are involved in both the induction of Th2 response but also in executing effector functions downstream of Th2 signals. These cells are also intimately linked with wound healing and the response to injury, as well as maintaining optimal metabolic status, because Th1/Th2 imbalance is associated with various forms of physiological malfunctions such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The module will include both lectures and analysis of the primary literature. The course will start with lectures on the basic differentiaton and function of Th2 cells, as well as an overview of the innate Type 2 populations, together with an evolutionary perspective of the Th2 arm of immunity. Following sessions will be a combination of lectures focussing on specific themes and discussion of the primary literature. Topics covered will include immunity to helminths, the development of allergy, modes of regulation of the Th2 response, and the role of the Type 2 response in wound healing and metabolism. Review of the primary literature will be in the form of presentations and question-and-answer sessions. Students will be expected to read the papers in advance and actively engage in an analysis of the papers¿ findings.
Course description The dichotomy of T cell responses into Th1 and Th2 remains a major paradigm in immunology, despite the appearance of multiple other T cell subsets. This unit will focus on the development and functions of the Th2 arm, which is uniquely responsible for a suite of essential immune defences (eg against helminth parasites), but also associated with specific pathologies (eg allergy) as well as body maintenance functions (wound healing and metabolism). By studying Th2, we can readily illustrate and understand the regulation and balance within the immune system that dictates when different modes of immunity are selected or repressed, thereby leading to better therapies for infection or immune dysfunction.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Course Start Date 18/09/2017
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 27, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 69 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) There will be a final 2 hour exam in December (Week 12-13) contributing 100% to the final mark.
Feedback Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Th2 in Immunity, Allergy and Health2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Basic understanding of the current field of Th2 immunology.
  2. Advanced skills in reading and understanding the primary literature.
  3. Development of scientific problem solving skills.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordsth2imm
Contacts
Course organiserDr Matthew Taylor
Tel: (0131 6)51 3625
Email: Matthew.Taylor@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Tim Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 7296
Email: Tim.MacDonald@ed.ac.uk
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