Syllabus
1. Introduction - Rodents vs. humans: differences between mouse and human immunology
2. Immunologically relevant mouse models
3. Genetically humanized mice and variants of immunodeficient models for xenotransplantation
4. Large animal models for study of immune system
5. Small animal models for study of immune system
6. Animal models of study of immune system after parasite infection After each lecture students will answer the question concerning the lectured topic. Exam will be conducted in the form of journal club. Students will discuss recent literature relavant to the studied topic.
Annotation
Most of our current understading of the function of the immune system is derived from model organisms. Use of inbred laboratory mouse strains and the advancement of gene-manipulation techniques allowed dissecting the roles of individual genes and their products in immune functions under normal and pathologic conditions.
Part of this course will focus on generation of mouse models and their use in imunology research and as models for human diseases. Another part of the course will be dedicated to naturally occurring or experimentally induced diseases of domestic animals, which could serve as models for human medicine.
Advantages and disadvantages of large animal models versus mouse models will be discussed.