Bi5615en Invertebrate Immunobiology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Coenraad Martinus Adema (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Martin Vácha, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. RNDr. Martin Vácha, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 17. 2. to Sat 24. 5. Mon 8:00–9:50 D36/212
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to introduce the innate type-immunology of invertebrate animals as highly effective yet with features that are distinct from vertebrate immunology because of separate development on different evolutionary trajectories. Highlighted are humoral and cellular immune mechanisms from Mollusca and Arthropoda, from initial discovery to findings developed in the genomics era.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to: understand and be able to explain why the historical perception of only germline-fixed, unchangeable immune defense in invertebrates is incompatible with the Red Queen hypothesis; interpret the progression of stages of innate invertebrate immune responses; interpret phylogeny for distribution of shared and unique features of animal immunology; describe mechanisms for diversification of animal immune factors other than rearranging immunoglobulin genes in vertebrates.
Syllabus
  • • 1. the mammalian standard, phylogeny • 2. absence of invert lymphocytic immunity, red queen • 3. lectins, PRRs and PAMPs • 4. Immune cascades: clotting, PPO, complement • 5. AMPs: discovery, mechanisms, distribution • 6. hemocytes: phagocytosis, cytotoxicity • 7. Toll and IMD pathways • 8. Cytokines • 9. Diversification of immune factors • 10. Immune memory and novel immune mechanisms
Literature
  • • Invertebrate immunobiology. info (provided as part of slides, and (URLs to) original papers
Teaching methods
Weekly lecture of 2 hour. - students should study on-line materials consisting of lecture slides and posted original publications, study materials available on IS
Assessment methods
10% credit is granted for active participation in question-answer/discussion components of lectures. 1% Credit is granted for every lecture attended (up to 10% credit). Lecture attendance is highly recommended for fluent understanding of the educated subjects. A total of 80% credit can be achieved in two multiple choice exams (topics 1-5; topics 6-10), each worth up to 40% credit). At least 60% credit is needed to pass.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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