Immunology: Immune System and Infectious Diseases

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/immunology-immune-system-and-infectious-diseases

Introduction

### Course Review: Immunology: Immune System and Infectious Diseases In today's rapidly evolving world, understanding the dynamics between the immune system and infectious diseases has never been more crucial. The online course **“Immunology: Immune System and Infectious Diseases,”** available on Coursera, provides learners with a deep dive into these fundamental concepts, framed within the context of global health. #### Course Overview The course is anchored in the historical and ongoing struggle between pathogens — including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions — and the immune system that serves to protect us. Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of death globally, and this course aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of immune responses across different types of infections. #### Detailed Syllabus Breakdown **Module 1: Immune Response to Bacteria** The first module sets the stage by exploring the innate and adaptive mechanisms involved in combating bacterial infections. Understanding the cellular subsets engaged and the specific molecular responses unveils the complexity of our immune defense against both intracellular and extracellular bacteria, providing a solid foundation for further study. **Module 2: Viral Immunity and Evasion** Building on the first, the second module dives into the immune defenses against viral infections. It highlights both protective mechanisms and the sophisticated strategies employed by viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, to evade immune detection. This module is particularly relevant given the current global health landscape. **Module 3: Immunity Against Fungal Infections** The third segment shifts focus to fungal pathogens, detailing how the immune system responds to these eukaryotic invaders. This module enriches participants' understanding of the distinct immune cells and molecules involved, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by fungal infections. **Module 4: Immune Responses to Leishmania Parasites** Module four explores the immune interactions with Leishmania, a neglected parasite. It offers an in-depth look at how these pathogens exploit the immune system to survive, adding a layer of complexity to the understanding of immune evasion strategies in parasitology. **Module 5: Malaria Infection and Immunity** The fifth module examines malaria, another critical area in infectious disease research. Through expert presentations, participants learn about the immune responses at various stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle and the challenges faced in prevention and treatment efforts. **Module 6: Tuberculosis and Human Immunity** Concluding the course, the final module focuses on tuberculosis, the leading infectious disease killer worldwide. This segment provides insights into the immunopathology of TB, the factors perpetuating its epidemic, and the nuanced immune response that characterizes this complex disease. #### Learning Experience The course structure combines video lectures with expert insights, interactive quizzes, and discussion forums to foster an engaging learning environment. Participants have the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field, gaining access to cutting-edge research and real-world applications of immunological principles. #### Recommendations **Who Should Enroll**: This course is ideal for anyone interested in immunology, public health, medical students, healthcare professionals, or even dedicated laypersons looking to understand the human body’s defense mechanisms better. **Pros**: - Comprehensive coverage of various pathogens and the corresponding immune responses. - Insights from industry experts that enrich the learning material. - A well-structured syllabus that progresses logically from foundational concepts to complex interactions. **Cons**: - As with many online courses, the depth of content may be challenging for complete beginners without a background in biology or medicine. - The pace may require a substantial time commitment for in-depth understanding. Overall, **“Immunology: Immune System and Infectious Diseases”** on Coursera is a well-crafted course that balances theoretical knowledge with practical insights into one of the most crucial aspects of human health. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of immunology and its pivotal role in combating infectious diseases.

Syllabus

Immune response to bacteria

In module one, you will explore the innate and adaptive mechanisms of defence against bacterial infections in the human host. As they differ, the responses to both intracellular and extracellular bacteria will be discussed. In particular, you will learn about the specific cell subsets that are involved and the molecules and mechanisms they deploy to provide protection against these pathogenic infections.

In module two, we will explore both innate and adaptive mechanisms of defence against viral infections in the human host. The specific cellular and molecular immune mechanisms involved in this protection will be discussed. Finally, our experts will explain the plethora of strategies developed by the viruses to evade from our immune system and that ultimately allow them to survive and sometimes thrive in their mammalian host. Some examples will be discussed, including SARS-CoV-2.

Module three of this course will explore in detail the immune mechanisms deployed by the mammalian host to combat this particular eukaryotic type of pathogen. In particular, you will discuss the role of specific cells and molecules involved and, using specific examples, you understand how our immune system responds to the various types of fungus its host encounters.

In module four, you will explore the innate and adaptive immune responses to this neglected parasitic infection. The specific cells and molecules and their interactions will be explored. Using the different forms of the diseases, our expert will discuss how the parasite is able to use the immune system to evade destruction.

Module five will investigate our immune response to this deadly parasite. Presented by our experts in the field, this module will cover the cells and molecules involved as well as the different phases of immune response deployed in the various phases of the parasite’s life cycle in the host. The module will also cover immune resistance to the clinical symptoms of the disease and will explain the difficulties encountered in the development of efficient prevention and treatment options.

Module six, our last in the course, is dedicated to understanding tuberculosis. Led by our experts in the field, you will discover the symptomatic diversity of this bacterial infection, the primary cause of death worldwide resulting from a single pathogen. You will explore our immune response against this pathogen, the factors contributing to the ongoing tuberculosis epidemic and the immunopathology of the disease.