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Basics of Immunology (part 1)

This learning journey is designed to introduce general features of the immune system, types of immunity, antigens, and antibodies/immunoglobulins. The pathways of the complement system and their physiological functions are also discussed in this journey.

Table of Contents

  1. How is the immune system organised: the downside and the upside
  2. Innate immunity vs. adaptive immunity
  3. Overview of innate immunity and leukocyte development
  4. Overview of adaptive immunity and antibody functions
  5. How do vaccines work?
  6. How does the immune system recognise antigens?
  7. Immunoglobulin classes and subclasses
  8. The antibody as an adapter molecule
  9. The complement system: classical, lectin and alternate pathways
  10. Physiological functions of the complement system
  11. What are the outcomes of complement activation?

1. How is the immune system organised: the downside and the upside

By Prof. Herman Waldmann – University of Oxford, UK

An excerpt from Introduction to the immune system

  • Play How is the immune system organised: the downside and the upside

2. Innate immunity vs. adaptive immunity

By Prof. Shiv Pillai – Harvard Medical School, USA

An excerpt from The immune system: an overview - innate immunity

  • Play Innate immunity vs. adaptive immunity

3. Overview of innate immunity and leukocyte development

By Prof. Kevin Maloy – University of Glasgow, UK

An excerpt from Cells of the innate immune system

  • Play Overview of innate immunity and leukocyte development

4. Overview of adaptive immunity and antibody functions

By Prof. Shiv Pillai – Harvard Medical School, USA

An excerpt from The immune system: an overview - adaptive immunity

  • Play Overview of adaptive immunity and antibody functions

5. How do vaccines work?

By Dr. Anita Milicic – University of Oxford, UK

An excerpt from Vaccination

  • Play How do vaccines work?

6. How does the immune system recognise antigens?

By Prof. Herman Waldmann – University of Oxford, UK

An excerpt from Antigen recognition in the immune system

  • Play How does the immune system recognise antigens?

7. Immunoglobulin classes and subclasses

By Dr. Mike Clark – University of Cambridge, UK

An excerpt from Antibody structure and function: antibody structure

  • Play Immunoglobulin classes and subclasses

8. The antibody as an adapter molecule

By Dr. Mike Clark – University of Cambridge, UK

An excerpt from Antibody structure and function: antibody function

  • Play The antibody as an adapter molecule

9. The complement system: classical, lectin and alternate pathways

By Prof. Michael Holers, Dr. Ashley Frazer-Abel

An excerpt from The complement system - an introduction for undergraduates

  • Play The complement system: classical, lectin and alternate pathways

10. Physiological functions of the complement system

By Prof. Steven Sacks – King's College London, UK

An excerpt from The complement system in innate and adaptive immunity: normal functioning of the complement system

  • Play Physiological functions of the complement system

11. What are the outcomes of complement activation?

By Prof. Sara Marshall – Wellcome Trust, UK

An excerpt from Hypersensitivity diseases: type II-IV hypersensitivity

  • Play What are the outcomes of complement activation?