Comparative Immunology PO 757

Comparative Immunology is a graduate level course that explores the different systems life has developed to protect itself from pathogens, parasites, and genetic disorders. Students will compare and contrast these different systems and the evolutionary systems that drive the convergence and divergence in how they function.

The course uses a combination of current scientific literature, review articles, and historical research papers to demonstrate how the study of different species has contributed to our understanding of immunology and disease resistance; and to develop students ability to read, understand, and critically review current literature.

Immunological Topics:

• Innate immunity

• Self vs non-self

• Antigen specific receptors

• Immune regulation and communication

Learning Objectives:

• Compare and contrast the immune systems across all forms of life

• Compare and contrast methodologies used to evaluate the immune system of various animal species

• Identify and describe criteria that denote homologous, analogous, orthologous, and/or paralogous relationships among defense systems.

• Analyze and evaluate current immunology literature and offer potential alternative approaches based on the data.

Couse Format:

Comparative Immunology is led by Dr. Matt Koci with lectures provided by faculty from CALS, CVM, and COS by scientists using different model systems to understand the immune system, its origins, and unique ways different animals have developed to protect themselves from pathogens. Students are assigned 1 primary research article, with 2-3 supplemental review articles for each each class meeting. Students are expected to have read the papers prior to that day’s meeting and be ready to discuss, in detail, the primary research article and answering the following questions for each figure:

• What question did the authors ask?

• What experiment did they do to answer the question?

• What results did they get?

• What were their conclusions?

• Do you agree with their approach and conclusions?

For more information contact:

Dr. Matt Koci
Prestage Department of Poultry Science
363 Scott Hall
Office#: 515-5388
Email: mdkoci@ncsu.edu