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.