| WEEK # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Introduction of Instructor and Students Overview and Discussion of the Syllabus Aim of the Course How to Read a Scientific Paper Literature and Database Searching Introduction to Next Week's Topic | |
Part I: Defense Mechanisms Developed by Unicellular Organisms | ||
2 |
Recognition of Foreign Nucleic Acids The Restriction/Modification (R-M) System | |
3 |
Recognition of Foreign Nucleic Acids RNAi | |
4 | Anti-microbial Peptides | |
5 | Altruistic Death | |
Part II: The Transition to Multi-Cellularity Resulted in Cell Specialization | ||
6 |
How are pathogens recognized by multi-cellular organisms? Pattern Recognition and Missing Self | Assignment 1 due |
7 |
How do multi-cellular organisms destroy pathogens? Phagocytosis | |
8 |
How do multi-cellular organisms destroy pathogens? Complement and Reactive Oxygen | |
Part III: An Evolutionary Milestone: The Origin of an Adaptive Immune System | ||
9 |
Receptors of the Adaptive Immune System Antigen Recognition by Cells of the Adaptive Immune System Involves the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) | |
10 | Clonal Selection and Immunological Memory | |
11 | How does the adaptive immune system interact with the innate immune system? | |
12 | Change or Die | |
13 |
Student Oral Presentations Course Evaluations | Assignment 2 due |
