Applied Immunology and Oncology

Full course description

In this course students will have an opportunity to learn how modern medicine has benefitted from our knowledge in the fields of (molecular) cell biology and immunology. Pathobiology is the field that deals with disturbance of normal physiological processes and the consequences of it for adequate functioning of our human body. Our challenge has been to arrange a program that offers insight in the nature, e.g. the causes and processes of disease.

The emphasis in this course is on diseases of the immune system and oncology. In this respect, this course builds on the knowledge obtained in the UCM course ‘Immunology’ and ‘Cell Biology’. It is our hope that the acquired knowledge will furthermore enable you to better understand and appreciate the newest developments in treatment of these diseases.

The program comprises PBL tasks, workshops and assignments. PBL tasks will be presented to you in the form of tutorial group meetings and topic-related lectures. The tasks deal with 1) examples of diseases caused by unwanted reactions of the immune system, e.g. chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, and 2) with oncological diseases in which cells have gone astray, circumvent the body’s defense mechanisms and give rise to cancer.

Workshops will address immunology- and oncology-related research highlights related to diagnostic, preventive and (immuno)therapeutic developments in immunological and oncological diseases. Assignments consist of writing an essay and giving a presentation on a block-related subject for discussion and deepening in the tutorial group meeting.