BI2BC45: Cells and Immunity

Module code: BI2BC45

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Mike Fry, email: m.j.fry@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1BEC1 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 5 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will build on molecular cell biology concepts introduced at Part 1 and will introduce new concepts that will form the foundation for further development in modules at Part 3. The aim will be to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of eukaryotic cell structure and function in molecular terms, focusing on cells in tissues and immune cells and the interplay that occurs between them during infection. The module will start by introducing a range of topics linked to cell function in all cell types and then will move on to consider these in the context of the functioning of the immune system during an infection in a tissue.

This module aims to provide background knowledge on molecular cell biology, with an emphasis on the understanding of the fundamentals of cell structure and cell function in molecular terms. The course will also provide students with an understanding of the main concepts and central mechanisms of the mammalian immune response, so that the students may understand how animals, especially humans, react to antigens and attack by pathogens. Students will also be introduced to the main forms of immunopathology and will gain an appreciation of how vaccines are produced and how antibodies may be used as 'tools' in clinical medicine and biological research. Information derived from this course is essential for a good understanding of material in subsequent modules concerning pathogens and disease processes.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe the structure/internal organisation of eukaryotic cells including the functions of each organelle and discuss methods for the study of cellular structure and function
2. Explain cellular mechanisms for control of cell growth, survival, proliferation and differentiation as controlled by cellular signalling pathways including the molecular basis of cell adhesion and motility
3. Describe the different types of immunity occurring in a mammal (i.e. innate and acquired), the roles of lymphocytes and other specialised cells, organs and tissues in the acquired immune response, how antigens are recognised and neutralised by the immune system and how immunoglobulin diversity is generated
4. Explain the different types of immunopathology (hypersensitivity, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency), the principle and practice of vaccination and examples of practical uses of antibodies

Module content

Lectures will cover a number of fundamental topics including a consideration of how receptor mediated signalling leads to cell growth, cell cycle and proliferation, autophagy and survival and differentiation; DNA modification and repair mechanisms; protein synthesis (translation), protein targeting and trafficking; secretion; protein turnover, endocytosis; cell adhesion, migration and chemotaxis. 

Lectures will cover also the main aspects of immune responses of mammals: Topics covered will include differences between innate and acquired (adaptive) immunity; cellular events (leucocytes, haemopoiesis, lymphoid tissues, development and function of B and T cells, cytokines and their receptors); immunochemical aspects (antigens, antibodies, major histocompatibility complex, T-cell receptor, complement); genetics of immunoglobulins, practical uses of antibodies. The key concepts in cell biology and immunology will be brought together at the end of the module when we consider how all that we have considered is required to bring about an effective immune response in a tissue of a multicellular organism that has been damaged and infected with a pathogen. Discussion sessions will reinforce material already presented and should lead on to discussion of experiments approaches used in cell biology and immunology. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be two 50 minutes lectures/seminars each week in which key topics will be presented and discussed with the class. Students will be supported by a one-hour online drop-in session where issues will be discussed and questions answered. There will be a practical class in each term that students will do on a rotating basis – one will cover an aspect of basic cell biology, the other an aspect of immunology. Each will introduce the students to new laboratory techniques and will help them to develop their laboratory skills further. Students will be expected to submit written reports of their practical work in each term. 

Study hours

At least 41 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs