Immunology (IMMUNOL)
Professor Tedder, Chair (353 Jones); Professor Krangel, Director of Graduate Studies (318 Jones); Professors Abraham, Buckley, Burks, Chao, Coffman, Cousins, Frank, Hall, Haynes, Hoffman, Kelsoe, Kepler, Krangel, Lefkowitz, Lyerly, Pisetsky, St.Clair, Tedder, Weinberg, Weinhold; Associate Professors Clay, Gunn, He, Levesque, Markert, Staats, Szabolcs, Tomaras, Zhang, Zhuang; Assistant Professors Cowell, Kondo, Lin, Rathmell, Taylor, Yang, Zhong; Associate Research Professor Sarzotti-Kelsoe; Assistant Research Professors Haas, Poe, Ueda, Williams, Zhu; Adjunct Assistant Professor Demarest
Immunology is the study of the cells, proteins, and genes that protect against infection and malignancy. Immunology encompasses innate and natural, nonspecific defense mechanisms, as well as specific immune responses that generate immunologic memory. The department's focus is on lymphocytes, and their cellular biology, physiology, genetics and development. Immunology is by its nature a bridging science. The roots of immunology lie in the study of infectious disease, vaccine development, organ transplantation, immunity to malignancy, and immunotherapy. Modern research in immunology draws on recent advances in cell- and molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics and informatics to determine how the immune system functions. In turn, immunology has contributed to understanding biological structure, eukaryotic gene organization and expression, signal transduction, and intracellular protein transport and assembly.
The Department of Immunology offers graduate work leading to the PhD degree. Research programs are available in many aspects of molecular and cellular immunology, including immunogenetics. The department is a participating member in the following University Programs: Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, the Medical Scientist Training Program, and the Developmental Biology Training Program.
The Department of Immunology has outstanding facilities for carrying out all aspects of immunologic research. A description of the PhD program, prerequisites for admission, and research in the department may be found at: http://immunology.mc.duke.edu or by e-mailing dgs-immunology@duke.edu.
201. Laboratory Rotation. Laboratory rotation for first year Immunology graduate students, first semester. Department consent required. Instructor: Staff. 1 unit.
202. Laboratory Rotation. Laboratory rotation for first year Immunology graduate students, second semester. Department consent required. Instructor: Staff. 1 unit.
213S. Computational Immunology. 3 units. C-L: see Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 223
244. Principles of Immunology. An introduction to the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response. Topics include anatomy of the lymphoid system, lymphocyte biology, antigen-antibody interactions, humoral and cellular effector mechanisms, and control of immune responses. Prerequisites: Biology 119 and Chemistry 151L or equivalents. Instructors: He and Zhang. 3 units. C-L: Biology 244
258. Structural Biochemistry I. 2 units. C-L: see Biochemistry 258; also C-L: Cell and Molecular Biology 258, Cell Biology 258, University Program in Genetics 258, Structural Biology and Biophysics 258, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 258
259. Structural Biochemistry II. 2 units. C-L: see Biochemistry 259; also C-L: Cell Biology 259, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 259, Structural Biology and Biophysics 259, University Program in Genetics 259
268. Biochemical Genetics II: From RNA to Protein. 2 units. C-L: see Biochemistry 268; also C-L: Cell Biology 268, University Program in Genetics 268
291. Comprehensive Immunology. An intensive course in the biology of the immune system and the structure and function of its component parts. Major topics discussed are: properties of antigens; specificity of antibody molecules and their biologic functions; cells and organs of the lymphoid system; structure and function of complement; inflammation and nonspecific effector mechanisms; cellular interactions and soluble mediators in lymphocyte activation, replication, and differentiation; regulation of immune responses; molecular structure and genetic organization of immunoglobulins, histocompatibility antigens, and T-cell receptor. Required course for all students specializing in immunology. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite: recommended, Immunology 244 or equivalent. Instructor: Zhuang and staff. 3 units.
300. Tumor Immunology. An advanced seminar based on original literature focusing on neoplasia and the immune system. Topics include a general introduction to malignancy and immune responses associated with them, regulation of the immune response to tumor, vaccine development, the role of gene therapy, the use of tumor-reactive monoclonal antibodies, and characteristics of tumor antigens. Offered biennially (in rotation with IMM 310). Prerequisite: Immunology 291. Instructor: Tedder and Yang. 2 units.
310. Immunopathogenisis. Intended for basic scientists and physicians. Advanced study of immune-mechanisms central to human disease including localized and systemic autoimmunity, transplantation tolerance, allergy and asthma, and immunodeficiency syndromes. Lectures detail cellular- and molecular immune mechanisms that effect specific pathologies. Offered biennially (in rotation with IMM 300). Prerequisites: IMM 244, IMM 291, or equivalents. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: St. Clair and Kelsoe. 3 units.
331. Immunology Seminar. Work in progress seminar in which students and postdoctoral trainees give 30 min to 1 hour presentations of their research. Considered a showcase of current research in the Department of Immunology. All students enrolled in IMM programs are required to give a presentation once per year. Informal questions and discussion are encouraged throughout presentation. First and second year Immunology graduate students should register for IMM 331 which is graded credit. Third through sixth year Immunology students, along with non-Immunology majors should register for IMM 332 which is non-graded credit. Attendance is essential for both spring and fall terms. Permission of instructor is required. Instructor: Kondo. 1 unit.
332. Immunology Seminar. Work in progress seminar in which students and postdoctoral trainees give 30min to 1 hour presentations of their research. Considered a showcase of current research in the Department of Immunology. All students enrolled in IMM programs are required to give a presentation once per year. Informal questions and discussion are encouraged throughout presentation. First and second year Immunology graduate students should register for IMM 331 for graded credit. Third through sixth year Immunology students, along with non-Immunology majors should register for IMM 332 which is non-graded credit. Attendance is essential for both spring and fall terms. Permission of instructor is required. Instructor: Kondo. 1 unit.
335. Topics in Immunology. Focus on current immunology research, emphasizing emerging research areas and new directions in established areas. Students present recent papers in selected subjects. This course is required for all Immunology graduate students starting the second semester of their first year. Credit/no credit grading only. Permission is required by instructor. Instructor: Kondo. 1 unit.
336. Topics in Immunology. Focus on current immunology research, emphasizing emerging research areas and new directions in establishment areas. Students present recent papers in selected subjects. This course is required for all Immunology graduate students starting the second semester of their first year. Credit/No Credit grading only. Permission is required by instructor. Instructor: Kondo. 1 unit.
