Entry requirements

Alt . 1) 120 credits in the engineering programme in molecular biotechnology including cell biology and biotechnical methodology. Alt . 2) 120 credits. The overview trends in molecular biology and biotechnology.

Learning outcomes

After passing the course the student should be able to

• account for the structure and function at the molecular and cellular level of the immune defence
• account for polyclonal, monoclonal and humanized antibodies and production of these
• describe immunization/vaccination, immunological disease and immunotherapy
• plan, carry out and present achieved results of immunological serum analyses by means of enzyme coupled immune adsorbent analysis (ELISA)
• discuss immunological techniques and their applications in biotechnical industry.

Content

The innate and adaptive immune defence and its components. Cells and molecules that participate in these systems and their roles in combating infectious agents. Activation of these defence systems. The genetic mechanisms that control the formation of the specific receptors against foreign subjects in the form of antibodies and T cell receptors.

The use of antibodies in biotechnical applications such as ELISA, ELISpot, immunohistochemistry, western blot, flow cytometry, cell isolation with MACS, multiplex bead array, proximity ligation assay. Technologies for production of antibodies and isolation/purifying with protein A as well as immunological tests based on cellular reactions. Use of Biacore for determination of bond strengths in antibody-antigen interactions and use of structure data to understand and modulate immunological molecules. Immunological diseases as allergy, autoimmunity and immune deficiencies as well as the technologies that are used for diagnosis and treatment of these diseases as well as cancer.

Practical laboratory session that handles production and test of polyclonal antibodies. Theoretical exercises that cover different topics within immunology. Projects with a specialization in immunological technology. Study visits at companies that use immunological techniques.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory sessions, exercises, study visits, seminars and projects.

Assessment

Written examination (5 credits). Laboratory sessions (3 credits), theoretical exercises (1 credit) and oral presentation of project (1 credit).