The
course book is
Parham's The Immune System (4th edition).
Aim
The immune system comprises innate and acquired defense mechanisms against (pathogenic) microorganisms. Immunology has traditionally been a qualitative science describing the cellular and molecular components of the immune system and their functions. In the last twenty years this traditional approach is being replaced by a systems biology approach, where theoretical studies helps to interpret experimental data, to resolve controversies, and --most importantly-- to suggest novel experiments allowing for more conclusive and more quantitative interpretations. This course is planned to give an overview of wet and theoretical immunological research. We aim to:
- provide insight into the function of the immune system in health and disease
- give an introduction to the use of mathematical models and bioinformatics in immunological research.
