Introduction to Immunology Amid a Pandemic

Immunology is the study of the immune system the body's built-in defense system. This course covers an integrated introduction to immunology and techniques used in research and diagnostic laboratories. We use the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-1/HCoV-19 as a primary model to help us understand how the body fights viruses and how researchers use immunology-based techniques to treat diseases.†This course demonstrates through video and conversation laboratory approaches that illustrate concepts of how the immune system works.†The immunological techniques that are discussed include identifying proteins in cells using fluorescence microscopy and western blot and analyzing why cells move towards certain chemicals. For example when diagnosing autoimmune diseases scientists often use fluorescence microscopy to look at where proteins reside inside cells.†The laboratory component is a way to observe experiments learn how to design experiments and to analyze data.†Relevant laboratory exercises are discussed or demonstrated live during class or recorded and uploaded for students. The course also covers how to critically discuss scientific literature and how to create and present scientific data.