Immunology: Innate Immune System

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/immunology-innate-immune-system

Introduction

### Course Review: Immunology: Innate Immune System **Platform:** Coursera **Course Title:** Immunology: Innate Immune System **Offered by:** [Institution Name], led by active researchers in immunology **Duration:** Approximately 4 weeks (self-paced) **Level:** Intermediate #### Overview The **Immunology: Innate Immune System** course provides an in-depth exploration of our body’s first line of defense against pathogens. The immunity system is partitioned into dual arms: the innate and adaptive immune systems. This course focuses specifically on the innate immune response, which acts rapidly and is inherited through generations. The course walks learners through the critical mechanisms and components of innate immunity that respond to potential threats within minutes of exposure, a crucial understanding for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in immunology or related fields. #### Course Structure & Syllabus The course is structured into five comprehensive modules that cover a range of topics essential for understanding innate immunity: 1. **Components of the Innate Immune System** - This module lays the foundation by introducing the primary components of innate immunity. Learners will explore the body surfaces that first encounter pathogens and the protective mechanisms in place. By the end, students will be able to articulate the various actors in innate immunity and their functions. 2. **The Complement System** - The second module delves into the complement system, a vital soluble aspect of innate immunity. Students will learn about its components, activation by pathogens, and its role in pathogen destruction, including its interactions with phagocytosis. 3. **Programming of Innate Immunity by the Microbiota** - This module examines the crucial role of the human microbiome in health. The intersection of microbial health and diseases like asthma, diabetes, and cancer will be explored, encouraging learners to reflect on how probiotics can influence their wellbeing. 4. **Antigen Processing - MHC Class I and Class II** - Focusing on cell communication, this module elucidates how innate immunity interacts with adaptive immune cells through antigen processing. Learners will come away understanding the mechanisms that allow this vital dialogue between the immune systems. 5. **Natural Killer Cells** - The focus shifts to Natural Killer (NK) cells, specialized innate immune cells that identify and eliminate infected or cancerous cells. This module examines their mechanisms of action and how they maintain a balance, avoiding damage to healthy tissues. #### Learning Experience One of the most commendable aspects of this course is its collaboration with active researchers in the field. This not only lends credibility to the content but also enhances the learning experience with insights from current practices and advancements in immunology. The interactive nature of the course, including peer discussions and reflective exercises, fosters a community of learners all dedicated to understanding immunological principles. #### Target Audience The course is designed for intermediate learners, making it suitable for students in biology, health sciences, or anyone keen to expand their knowledge of the immune system. Although basic knowledge in biology is helpful, the course promises a thorough exploration even for those slightly less familiar with the subject. #### Conclusion & Recommendation In conclusion, the **Immunology: Innate Immune System** course on Coursera stands out as a robust educational opportunity for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the immune landscape. The structured syllabus, interactive components, and guidance from knowledgeable researchers make it an excellent choice for learners. **Recommendation:** I highly recommend this course to healthcare professionals, biology students, or life science enthusiasts. Not only does it enhance theoretical knowledge, but it also provides practical insights that could be beneficial for educational or professional pursuits in immunology and related fields. Consider signing up if you’re eager to unravel the complexities of our innate immune system!

Syllabus

Components of the innate immune system

In module one, we will explore the main component of the innate immune system. We will start by looking at the surfaces that are first exposed to potential pathogens and how they prevent most pathogens from entering our body. We will then learn about our main innate protective mechanisms and discuss how this inherited system is able to recognise and combat infection. By the end of this module, learners will be able to describe these actors and mechanisms in detail.

In module two, we will explore a key soluble component of our innate immune system: the complement. We will learn about its main components, how it gets activated by pathogens and how the outcome leads to pathogens destruction. We will also explore how the complement system contributes to other innate immune activities, such as phagocytosis, that is the uptake of microorganisms by immune cell for destruction.

In module three, we will investigate how our microbiota plays a protective role in our health. We will first define the human microbiome in more details and explore its influence on various common pathologies such as asthma, diabetes or cancer. The module ends on an opportunity for learners to reflect and share with others on the effects of pro-biotics on our health.

In module four, we will understand how the innate system communicates with the adaptive immune cells. We will explore which cells oversee this essential function and how they capture, digest and present pathogenic molecules to the adaptive immune cells to for their activation. Importantly, we will also investigate how the innate immune response helps this second phase of response to ‘adapt’ to the nature of the infection.

In module five, we will look at one example of innate cells, called Natural Killers, that are directly able to destroy infected and tumour cells. We will explore how they interact with other immune cells, how they recognise their target cells and the mechanisms they use to lead to their death. Importantly, we will also discover the mechanisms that prevent their mis-activation to prevent the disastrous destruction of health host cells.