Basic Immunology Course

Lesson 1 • Molecules That Drive Immunity

Covers cytokines, chemokines, and surface receptors as communication tools. Shows how molecular signals coordinate cellular responses.

Lesson 2 • Cells of the Immune System

Introduces leukocyte lineages, their origins, and their primary tasks. Provides the cellular vocabulary needed for all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 3 • Organs and Tissues of Immunity

Maps primary and secondary lymphoid organs and their developmental roles. Connects organ structure to immune cell production and maturation.

Lesson 4 • What Immunity Means

Defines immunity, self vs. non-self recognition, and the concept of immune surveillance. Establishes the vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Phagocytosis and Killing Mechanisms

Details how macrophages and neutrophils engulf and destroy pathogens. Introduces oxidative burst and lysosomal degradation pathways.

Lesson 2 • Inflammation as a Defence Tool

Describes the cardinal signs, mediators, and phases of acute inflammation. Connects inflammatory outcomes to tissue protection and repair.

Lesson 3 • The Complement System

Covers the three activation pathways and their convergent effector functions. Shows how complement bridges innate killing and adaptive priming.

Lesson 4 • Natural Killer Cells and Interferons

Examines NK cell activation, missing-self recognition, and antiviral interferon responses. Demonstrates innate surveillance against infected and tumour cells.

Lesson 1 • MHC Molecules and Their Diversity

Describes MHC class I and II structure, polymorphism, and tissue distribution. Explains how MHC diversity shapes population-level immune responses.

Lesson 2 • Exogenous Antigen Processing

Follows extracellular antigen uptake, endosomal processing, and MHC class II loading. Links this pathway to CD4 T cell activation.

Lesson 3 • Antigen Structure and Immunogenicity

Defines epitopes, haptens, and factors that determine immunogenicity. Establishes what makes a molecule capable of triggering an immune response.

Lesson 4 • Endogenous Antigen Processing

Traces intracellular protein degradation via the proteasome and loading onto MHC class I. Connects this pathway to CD8 T cell activation.

Lesson 1 • T Cell Memory Formation

Distinguishes effector, central, and tissue-resident memory T cell subsets. Explains the signals that determine memory longevity and recall speed.

Lesson 2 • T Cell Development in the Thymus

Covers thymic selection, TCR gene rearrangement, and lineage commitment. Explains how the thymus generates a self-tolerant, MHC-restricted repertoire.

Lesson 3 • CD4 Helper T Cell Subsets

Describes Th1, Th2, Th17, Tfh, and Treg differentiation driven by cytokine environments. Maps each subset to its effector function and disease relevance.

Lesson 4 • T Cell Receptor Signalling

Details TCR-CD3 complex assembly, co-receptor roles, and downstream kinase cascades. Connects signal strength to activation thresholds and anergy.

Lesson 1 • B Cell Activation Pathways

Contrasts T-dependent and T-independent B cell activation mechanisms. Explains BCR signalling, co-stimulation, and germinal centre entry.

Lesson 2 • Plasma Cells and B Cell Memory

Describes plasma cell differentiation, long-lived bone marrow niches, and memory B cell properties. Connects these to durable humoral protection.

Lesson 3 • Antibody Diversity and Class Switching

Explains V(D)J recombination, junctional diversity, and somatic hypermutation. Covers cytokine-driven class switch recombination to IgG, IgA, and IgE.

Lesson 4 • Antibody Structure and Function

Describes immunoglobulin domains, antigen-binding sites, and Fc effector regions. Maps each antibody function to its structural basis.

Lesson 1 • Central Tolerance Mechanisms

Covers thymic negative selection and bone marrow B cell deletion as primary checkpoints. Explains AIRE-driven tissue antigen expression in the thymus.

Lesson 2 • Organ-Specific vs. Systemic Autoimmunity

Contrasts localised tissue destruction with systemic immune complex deposition. Uses representative disease models to illustrate each pattern.

Lesson 3 • Mechanisms of Autoimmune Disease

Explains molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and epitope spreading as autoimmune triggers. Links genetic and environmental risk factors to disease onset.

Lesson 4 • Therapeutic Approaches to Autoimmunity

Surveys immunosuppressive drugs, biologics targeting cytokines, and antigen-specific tolerance strategies. Connects mechanism of action to clinical rationale.

Lesson 1 • Delayed-Type and Contact Hypersensitivity

Describes Th1 and CD8 T cell-driven tissue damage occurring 24-72 hours after antigen contact. Covers tuberculin reaction and contact dermatitis as clinical models.

Lesson 2 • IgE-Mediated Allergy Mechanisms

Details allergen sensitisation, IgE production, mast cell priming, and degranulation on re-exposure. Explains the molecular basis of anaphylaxis and atopy.

Lesson 3 • Gell-Coombs Classification Framework

Introduces the four hypersensitivity types by effector mechanism and timeline. Provides the organisational framework for the rest of the chapter.

Lesson 4 • Immune Complex Disease

Explains how antigen-antibody complexes deposit in tissues and activate complement and neutrophils. Connects complex size, charge, and clearance to disease severity.

Lesson 1 • Immunodeficiency and Immune Reconstitution

Distinguishes primary genetic immunodeficiencies from secondary acquired states and their clinical consequences. Covers replacement therapies and stem cell transplantation as corrective strategies.

Lesson 2 • Transplantation Immunology

Covers allorecognition, rejection types, and immunosuppressive regimens used to prevent graft loss. Explains tolerance induction strategies in transplantation.

Lesson 3 • Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

Describes tumour immune evasion strategies and how checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells, and cancer vaccines restore anti-tumour immunity.

Lesson 4 • Herd Immunity and Population Protection

Explains threshold coverage, R0, and how vaccination reduces transmission at the population level. Addresses vaccine hesitancy and equity as public health challenges.