BMB208: Cancer immunology
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N220003102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: PhD
STADS ID (UVA): N220003101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 07-03-2023
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
The course has limited entry. The following criterias are taken into consideration when seats are assigned.
- PhD students after time of enrollment
- Students with the most ECTS from their master
- Students who follows master courses concurrent with their bachelor programme (dispensation to 30 ECTS Master courses)
If students are equal – seats are allocated based on random draw.
The academic envirometns at The faculty of science manages the prioritisation and at waiting list is established and will then be made aware from the faculty. The waiting list will not be transferred to the following year.
It is important to turn up for the first day of the course or notify the lecturer, as there is a waiting list.
It is important to turn up for the first day of the course or notify the lecturer, as there is a waiting list.
Entry requirements
Immunology (Bx10, BMB512, BMB514 or similar)
Bachelor degree (biomedicine, molecular biology or similar)
It is an advantage if courses on autoimmunology (BMB201) and infection immunology (BMB806) have been completed.
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge of basic immunology'
- Be able to use retrieve and use new literature on (auto)immunology
It is an advantage if courses on BMB201: Autoimmunology (5 ECTS) and BMB806: Infection immunology (5 ECTS) have been completed.
Participant limit
Course introduction
The aim of the course is that the student achieves state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of mechanisms in immunological discrimination between normal and malignant cells (immune surveillance) and knowledge of mechanisms of cell transformation, including oncogenic viruses and concepts like tumor-associated antigens, oncofetal antigens, cancer testis antigens, immune check points, immunogenic cell death, paraneoplastic syndromes, etc.
New methods of cancer immunotherapy are described in relation to cancer immunology, including preventive and therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Furthermore, the student will achieve knowledge and understanding of current research in the field. This is important with regard to reading and understanding new literature on molecular cancer immunology and with regard to presentation of current results and problems in molecular cancer immunology.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses BMB512 (immunology) or similar, and gives an academic basis for studying autoimmunology in a master or PhD project.
It is an advantage if courses on autoimmunology (BMB201) and infection immunology (BMB806) have been completed.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the competence to understand and present problems and new results in molecular cancer immunology
- Give skills to read and present articles and to define and carry out projects in molecular cancer immunology
- Give knowledge and understanding of molecular cancer immunology.
- Give competence to relate basic knowledge and current research results to future research.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- describe basic mechanisms in immunological self/non-self discrimination (immune surveillance), including immune check points, immunogenic versus non-immunogenic cell death
- describe the role of innate and adaptive immunity in cancer immunology
- describe cancer in molecular terms (hallmarks of cancer)
- describe tumor-associated antigens, tumor rejection antigens, oncofetal antigens, cancer testis antigens, etc.
- describe basic principles of diagnosis and immunotherapy of cancer
- read and understand new scientific literature on molecular cancer immunology
- present current issues and problems in molecular cancer immunology research
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Immunological recognition of cancer cells (immune surveillance) compared with immunological self/non-self discrimination
- Innate and adaptive immunity in cancer immunology
- Oncogenic viruses and immunity to these
- Immunogenic versus non-immunogenic cell death
- Hallmarks in development of cancer
- Diagnostics of cancer and paraneoplastic diseases
- Immunotherapy of cancer
- Cancer vaccines
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Spring
Tests
Project
EKA
N220003102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
These teaching activities are reflected in an estimated allocation of the workload of an average student as follows:
- Intro phase (lectures) - 20 hours
- Training phase: 30 hours, including 20 hours tutorials and 10 hours laboratory
The course combines lectures, reading of original articles, examinatories with article presentations, laboratory exercises and individual projects.
Activities during the studyphase:
- Reading of articles
- Literature searching
- Article presentations
- Individual project
Teacher responsible
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.