BCMB 404: IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOCHEMISTRY

Defense systems:  self and non-self; innate and acquired; cells and organs involved; humoral and cell-mediated.

Antigens:  Immunogenicity and antigenicity; chemical nature (bacterial, viral and synthetic)

Antibodies:  Structure and function of immunoglobulins; theories of antibody production; polyclonal antibody production; monoclonal antibody production (hybridoma Technology).

Antigen-antibody interactions:  Agglutination and precipitation; immunoassays.

The complement system:  components, activation (classical and alternative

pathways); regulation.

Vaccines:    Current methods for development. Immune regulation and tolerance; immunopathology (hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity); transplantation immunology (mechanisms involved in tissue rejection).

Cytokines:   General properties; biological activities of selected cytokines.

Immunology of diseases of public health interest: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Schistosomiasis.