This unit aims to provide you with an advanced understanding of the immune system and the clinical significance of immunity as applied to pathogenic infection and cancer. You will develop knowledge of the integrated role of components within the immune system in response to pathogenic infections and the fundamental principles of tumour immunology. In parallel, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the causes of immunodeficiency by becoming familiar with the immune pathology and diagnostic strategies for a range of suspected immune deficiency or immune dysregulation conditions that affect different arms of the immune system. You will gain experience of the interpretation of diagnostic test results in a variety of clinical settings and their clinical significance. Finally, you will develop an understanding of the use of immunotherapeutic options available to either enhance or inhibit the immune system's potency linked to the condition that they are designed to treat and how the immune system can be exploited in a therapeutic setting.
Through studying and applying the taught content in this Unit, students will be able to:
- Explain the coordination of the components of the immune system during an immune response.
- Discuss the role of the immune system in defence against infection and in response to cancer.
- Describe how the features of clinical presentation indicate immunodeficiency.
- Explain the primary and secondary causes of immunodeficiency.
- Discuss how immune deficiencies help to define the function of components within the immune system.
- Critically evaluate the design, operation and performance of laboratory tests and assays used to investigate and define immunodeficiency.
- Explain the principles of immunotherapy with relation to the immune system.
- Describe and monitor the impact of immunotherapeutic treatments.
- Discuss and justify appropriate immunotherapeutic strategies and treatment regimens for patients with a range of immune disorders and cancer.
Marks and feedback will be provided online in accordance with the University of Manchester's Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students.
