Biology 349: Immunology
Spring 2011
Lecture: 11 am – 12:15 pm Tue/Thu, SSC 233
Lab: 2:00-5:00 pm Wed, SSC 137
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Brigati
Office location: SSC 108
Office hours: 2-3 pm Tuesday, 9:30 – 10:30 am Thursday or by appointment
Email: jennifer.brigati@maryvillecollege.edu
Phone: 981-8168
Course Materials:
Abbas, A., and Lichtman, A. 2011. Basic Immunology. 3rd edition, updated edition.
Saunders Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA. (The 2009 3rd edition is also okay)
Lab manual available for purchase from McGraw-Hill ebookstore (A bargain at $7.41).
https://create.mcgraw-hill.com/shop/ Search for ISBN 9781121121195, and be sure to
purchase the Immunology / BIO 349 book.
You will also need a response card (“clicker”)
Course Description:
An overview of the innate and adaptive immune systems of humans, including nonspecific defenses, complement, antigen presentation and recognition, humoral immunity,
cell-mediated immunity, and immunologic tolerance. Immune responses to bacterial,
viral, and protozoal infections will be discussed, as will disorders caused by
hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiency. Laboratory exercises will allow
study of the components of the immune system and exploration of immunoassay
techniques.
Course Objectives:
Explore how the human body prevents and eliminates infection:
Gain an understanding of the innate immune system
Gain an understanding of the adaptive immune system
Determine how the body decides between cell-mediated and humoral
immune responses
Examine how the innate and adaptive immune systems work together
Examine how vaccines stimulate immunity
Explore how the immune system can malfunction
Gain insight into autoimmune disorders
Understand allergic reactions
Understand inherited and acquired immunodeficiencies
Gain hands-on experience in immunoassay techniques
Gain experience in scientific writing
Prepare for more advanced study of immunology in Med/Vet/Grad school
Course Policies:
Grading:
Exams (4):
Quizzes (~12):
“Journal Club” presentation:
Class participation:
Scientific paper (lab report):
Lab write-ups:
30 % (10 % each, lowest is dropped)
20 % (lowest 2 dropped)
10 %
10 %
15 %
15 %
Exams: closed book; in class; a mix of multiple choice, short answer, essay, and other
question styles. Final exam is cumulative.
Quizzes: will be given most lecture days. They will be short (1 – 10 questions), any
format, some may be done in groups, most will use clickers. Quizzes will cover material
from the previous class and any assigned reading.
Scientific paper: Written in the format required by the journal Infection & Immunity.
This publication is available at www.asm.org (look under literature).
“Journal Club”presentation: You will make a ~30 minute presentation about a scientific
paper during the last two weeks of class.
Class participation: You will frequently be asked to perform activities in small groups to
facilitate learning concepts and applications of immunology. Your class participation
grade will reflect your attendance and the performance of your group in these exercises,
as well as your participation in “clicker” questions.
Lab write-ups: These are short worksheets from your laboratory manual (or handouts)
that you will hand in after completing lab work that will not be written up in a formal lab
report.
Grade Scale:
97-100 A+
87-89 B+
77-79 C+
67-69 D+
Below 60 = F
93-96 A
83-86 B
73-76 C
63-66 D
90-92 A80-82 B70-72 C60-62 DFinal grades are non-negotiable. If you suspect a grading or arithmetic error on an
assignment please see me. If you just want me to give you a higher grade because (insert
excuse here) don’t waste your time. If you are struggling with the material please see
me for help ASAP!
Attendance/Make ups:
Attendance at all lectures and laboratories is mandatory. Please see me immediately if
you are involved in a formal, documented school activity that will force you to miss
multiple lectures, any laboratories and/or any exams.
There will be no make-up exams or quizzes. This is why I drop the lowest exam grade
and lowest 2 quiz grades.
Laboratory exercises generally cannot be made up. A make-up assignment will be
given for your first absence. Subsequent absences will result in a “zero” for the lab
Class Participation cannot be made up! I understand that everyone has to miss class
occasionally due to illness or other personal reasons, but if you miss multiple group
exercises it will negatively affect your grade.
Deadlines:
Lab write-ups are due at the beginning of lab as detailed on the lab schedule. Lab reports
handed in after the deadline but less than 24 hours late will be docked 10 points (out of
100). Reports will be docked 20 points if they are 24-48 hours late, 30 points if they are
48-72 hours late, etc.
The same penalties apply to other assignments
Reading:
You are expected to read the assigned text chapters (and/or other materials) prior to
class. If you don’t keep up with the reading, it will be detrimental to your class
participation and quiz grades. Bring your text to class.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
I have no tolerance for cheating or plagiarism. WORKING TOGETHER ON LAB
REPORTS IS CHEATING. If you are unsure if what you are about to do constitutes
cheating or plagiarism, ask me. The first offense of cheating or plagiarism will result in a
zero on the assignment, and a letter to the registrar. A second offense will result in a
failing grade (F) in the course.
Classroom behavior:
Please turn off all cell phones, blackberries, ipods and other electronic gadgets before
class. These items are not allowed in the classroom during exams. If you are late to class
please sneak in quietly. Repetitive lateness will not be tolerated. When we work in the
computer lab you are to spend your time working on the assignment, not checking your
email or updating your Facebook page. If I catch you using the computer for something
inappropriate during class time, you will receive a grade of “0” for class participation that
day. Please do not talk, giggle, pass notes, etc. during lecture. If your behavior is
distracting or disruptive I will ask you to leave and you will receive a “0” on that day’s
activities.
Disabilities:
Please see me if you require classroom or testing accommodations so that we can make
appropriate arrangements through the learning center.
TENTATIVE LECTURE AND LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Date
W Jan 26
Th Jan 27
Tu Feb 1
W Feb 2
Th Feb 3
Tu Feb 8
W Feb 9
Th Feb 10
Tu Feb 15
W Feb 16
Th Feb 17
Tu Feb 22
W Feb 23
Th Feb 24
Tu Mar 1
W Mar 2
Th Mar 3
Tu Mar 8
W Mar 9
Th Mar 10
Tu Mar 15
W Mar 16
Th Mar 17
Tu Mar 22
W Mar 23
Th Mar 24
Tu Mar 29
W Mar 30
Th Mar 31
Tu Apr 5
W Apr 6
Th Apr 7
Tu Apr 12
W Apr 13
Topic
no class
no class
no class
Introduction
Intro to the immune system
Lab safety
ID and enumeration of WBCs
Innate Immunity
Antigen Presentation
Blood typing (saliva)
Antigen Presentation
Antigen Recognition
Antigen-Antibody Precipitation,
Neutralization of viruses by
antibodies
Antigen recognition
EXAM I
Western Blot Project- Into &
planning
Cell Mediated Immunity
Cell Mediated Immunity
Western Blot Project- Protein
Extraction
Cell Mediated Immunity
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
Humoral Immunity
Western Blot Project – gels,
transfer, coomassie stain*
Humoral Immunity
Complement
Western Blot Project – stain blot
and analyze
Regulation of the immune system
EXAM II
ELISA basics
Tolerance & Autoimmunity
Tumors & Transplants
“real” ELISA
Text Chapter/Pages
Assignment Due
Ch 1
Exercise 40
Ch 2
Ch 3
Exercise 42
Ch 3
Ch 4
Exercises 41 & 46
Lab write-up
Lab write-up
Lab write-up
Ch 4
Exercise 45
Lab write-up
Ch 5
Ch 6
Exercise 45
Ch 5/6
Ch 7
Exercise 45
Ch 8
Ch 8
Exercise 45
--Exercise 44
Ch 9
Ch 10
--
Western Blot paper
Lab write-up
Th Apr 14
Tu Apr 29
W Apr 20
Th Apr 21
Tu Apr 26
W Apr 27
Th Apr 28
Tu May 3
W May 4
Th May 5
W May 11
9 am
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity
FIELD TRIP – MPLN**
Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency
Vaccination
EXAM III
Journal Club presentations+
Journal Club presentations+
Journal Club presentations+
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM
Ch 11
Ch 11
Lab write up
Ch 12
Ch 12
* This lab may run past 5 pm.
** On April 20 we will meet at Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network. Here you will
get to see clinical applications of advanced immunoassay techniques. The lab is within
walking distance of the college (250 E. Broadway), but you are welcome to drive if you’d
prefer. We will meet outside the lab at 2 pm.
+ Depending on the final number of students in the class, we may need to extend
presentations into the lunch hour on Tuesday, past 5 pm on Wednesday, or schedule an
additional meeting time that week (ie – Friday afternoon). If this is necessary we will
discuss this as a class and try to find a time that works for everyone.