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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Fundamental & Applied Immunology
Module Code BE519 (ITS) / BIO1023 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinatorMichael Freeley
Module TeachersDenise Harold, Paul Cahill
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

Module aims: The purpose of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the innate and adaptive immune systems in protecting the host against pathogens and microorganisms. Students will subsequently learn how the immune system can be manipulated for disease recognition, particularly in relation to vaccine production and cancer. The module will also provide a comprehensive overview of the production, manipulation and purification of antibodies for diagnostic, biomedical and therapeutic applications.

Learning Outcomes

1. Compare and contrast the cells and components of the innate and adaptive immune systems.
2. Describe how the immune system and immune responses have been exploited for the development of vaccines and cancer.
3. Describe in detail the methods used to produce antibodies and antibody fragments in the laboratory.
4. Identify applications of antibodies and antibody fragments for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
5. Describe several different types of immunoassays and select the most appropriate immunoassay to detect/quantify a particular antigen.
6. Discuss how antibody-based therapy can be used to treat human disease.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture2412 lectures
Tutorial55 tutorials
Assignment Completion41Assignment on T-cell therapies for cancer
Independent Study55No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Fundamental and Translational Immunology
The Innate Immune System; The Adaptive Immune System - T-cells; T-cell therapies; CAR T-cells; The Adaptive Immune System - B-cells; Vaccines; Antibody Production; Antibodies and Immunoassays; Therapeutic Antibodies Part 1; Therapeutic Antibodies Part 2.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
In Class TestIn Class Test50%Other
AssignmentAn assignment based on an immunology topic.50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Janeway: 2012, Janeway's Immunobiology, 8th,
  • Wild: 2013, The Immunoassay Handbook, Fourth Edition: Theory and applications of ligand binding, ELISA and related techniques., 4, 978-008097037
Other Resources

None

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