• The overall objective of this course is to give the advanced biology students experience with addressing immunological questions through experimentation. A representative experiment will be the analysis of different lymphocyte subsets in distinct lymphoid tissues of the mouse. Specific techniques will analyze RNA and cytokine secretion in different immune cell populations and explore the functions of these unique cells.
  • Semester Offered: Spring
  • Credits: 1

Prerequisites:

Students are required to take the Immunology 01:146:474 course before taking this course.

Course Materials:                

Lab manual

Course Schedule:

Wednesday 10:20 am- 1:20 pm

Wednesday 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Course Description:

The overall objective of this course is to give the advanced biology students experience with addressing immunological questions through experimentation. A representative experiment will be the analysis of different lymphocyte subsets in distinct lymphoid tissues of the mouse. Specific techniques will analyze RNA and cytokine secretion in different immune cell populations and explore the functions of these unique cells.

Representative Schedule (may be slightly modified year to year):

Title of Labs:

1. Introduction to immunology lab and examination of peripheral blood smears

2. Isolation of mouse spleen mononuclear cells by density gradient centrifugation

3. Immunofluorescence staining of mouse splenocytes and thymocytes

4. Identification of B cell and T cell populations of mouse spleen and thymus by flow cytometry

5. Harvest of mouse lymphoid tissues and preservation of lymphoid tissues for RNA extraction

4. Preparation of RNA from mouse lymphoid tissues and analysis of T cell-specific gene expression by RT-PCR

5. Collection of mouse peritoneal lavage and harvest of mouse lymphoid tissues

6. Measurement of inflammatory cytokines secreted from activated macrophages by ELISA

7. Activation of B cells and preparation of proteins from naïve and activated B cells

8. Quantification of a B cell-specific protein by Western blot analysis

Course Syllabus:

Spring 2022 Syllabus

Course URL:

Canvas

Course Satisfies Learning Goals:

  1. Master factual and conceptual knowledge in immunology that will provide a solid foundation for success in advanced training and professional careers.
  2. Develop an ability to summarize, integrate and organize information and relate it to disease outcomes.
  3. Use scientific reasoning to evaluate the potential for current research and new discoveries to improve our understanding of immunology and its relevance to human health and to our society.
  4. Use experimental techniques to address immunological questions.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy:

Final course grades will be assigned according to the total points accumulated from scores on the assignments indicated below. Neither individual assignments nor final course grades will be “curved” in any way. Your final grade in the course will be determined by the weighted average of your scores using the following distribution:

Assignment

Value

 

Final Grade

Final Average

Attendance and participation

50%

 

A

90.0-100.0

Quizzes and Lab Reports

50%

 

B+

87.0-89.9

     

B

80.0-86.9

     

C+

77.0-79.9

     

C

70.0-76.9

     

D

60.0-69.9

     

F

0.0-59.9

 

Regular deadline for quiz  or lab report submission each week: 11:59 pm Friday

Course help provided:

Weekly office hours of each instructor and the TA are available to the students that need help via virtual meetings.

Course Closed?

If this course is closed, please use the following link to add your name to the wait list: Wait List Sign Up for Spring 2023 Courses . If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Life Sciences - Office of Undergraduate Instruction at 848-445-2075 or visit the office at Nelson Biological Laboratories B112, Busch Campus.

Course Coordinator:            

Dr. Ping Xie

B336 Nelson Labs

(848) 445-0802

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional instructor:        

  Dr. Brian Daniels

Nelson Labs B314

(848) 445-2709

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.