Course

Unit 1

Unit 1

Cell Architecture and Dynamics, Ultrastructure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, Membrane structure and function, Organelle biogenesis and trafficking, Cytoskeleton: structure, function, and dynamics, Cell polarity and junctions.

Unit 2

Unit 2

Cellular Communication and Signal Transduction, Receptor types and ligand interactions, Intracellular signaling cascades (MAPK, PI3K-AKT, JAK-STAT), Secondary messengers (cAMP, Ca²?, IP3), Signal amplification and integration, Cell fate decisions: proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis.

Unit 3

Unit 3

Immune System: Components and Development, Organs and cells of the immune system, Hematopoiesis and immune cell lineages, Development and maturation of T and B cells, Primary vs secondary lymphoid organs, Overview of innate and adaptive immunity.

Unit 4

Unit 4

Mechanisms of Innate and Adaptive Immunity, Pattern recognition receptors (TLRs, NLRs, RLRs), Antigen processing and presentation (MHC I & II), T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, Humoral vs cell-mediated immunity, Memory formation and tolerance mechanisms.

Unit 5

Unit 5

Immunological Techniques and Applications, Flow cytometry and immunophenotyping, ELISA, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation, Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, Vaccine technology and monoclonal antibodies, Diagnostic immunology and immunotherapy.

Unit 6

Unit 6

Cellular and Immune Dysfunctions in Disease, Autoimmunity and hypersensitivity, Immunodeficiencies (congenital and acquired), Cancer immunology and tumour evasion, Inflammation and chronic diseases, Immunological aspects of infectious diseases.

(45 classes)

Preamble:

This postgraduate-level course offers an in-depth exploration of cell structure and function, emphasizing on molecular mechanisms that regulate cellular processes. It also provides a comprehensive understanding of the immune system, covering both innate and adaptive immunity, immune signalling pathways, and the application of immunological techniques in research and clinical settings. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and hands-on laboratory sessions, students will gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge essential for careers in biomedical research and healthcare.

Course Outcome:

CO1: Describe the structure and function of cell organelles, membranes, and cytoskeleton in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

CO2: Explain key signaling pathways and their roles in regulating cell fate.

CO3: Summarize the components and development of the innate and adaptive immune systems.

CO4: Interpret the molecular mechanisms of immune responses, including antigen presentation and receptor signaling.

CO5: Apply immunological techniques for research and clinical diagnostics.

CO6: Identify immune-related disorders and discuss their cellular and molecular basis.

Program outcome

PO1: Bioscience Knowledge

PO2: Problem Analysis

PO3: Design/Development of Solutions

PO4: Conduct Investigations of complex problems

PO5: Modern tools usage

PO6: Bioscientist and Society

PO7: Environment and Sustainability

PO8: Ethics

PO9: Individual & Team work

PO10: Communication

PO11: Project management & Finance

PO12: Lifelong learning

0 – No affinity; 1 – low affinity; 2 – Medium affinity; 3 – High affinity

Program-specific outcome

PSO 1 – Emerging technologies in cell therapy

PSO 2 – Biomolecules in Medicine

PSO 3 – Molecular dysregulation in diseases

PSO 4 – Molecular technology in diagnosis and therapy

PSO 5 – Applying lab discoveries to clinical practice

PSO 6 – Advanced techniques in cell culture, gene editing, and bioprocessing

PSO 7 – Statistical methods to interpret and validate diagnostic results

PSO 8 – Integrate cell therapy into personalized medicine

PSO 9 – GMP and regulatory practices in cell therapy production

PSO 10 – Bioinformatics and biological data use

0 – No affinity; 1 – low affinity; 2 – Medium affinity; 3 – High affinity

Textbook

Alberts, B., Bray, D., Hopkin, K., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., … & Walter, P. (2014). Essential Cell Biology (4th ed.). Garland Science.

Abbas, A. K., Lichtman, A. H., & Pillai, S. (2021). Cellular and Molecular Immunology (10th ed.). Elsevier.

Reference book

Janeway, C. A., Travers, P., Walport, M., & Shlomchik, M. J. (2001). Immunobiology: The immune system in health and disease (5th ed.). Garland Science.