SubjectsSubjects(version: 978)
Course, academic year 2025/2026
   
Molecular Immunology - MB151P146
Title: Molecular Immunology
Czech title: Molekulární imunologie
Guaranteed by: Department of Cell Biology (31-151)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2025
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 4
Examination process: summer s.:written
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:3/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Explanation: nahrazuje MB150P15A
Note: enabled for web enrollment
priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
Guarantor: Mgr. Ondřej Štěpánek, Ph.D.
Teacher(s): Mgr. Ondřej Štěpánek, Ph.D.
Incompatibility : MB150P15A
Is incompatible with: MB150P15A
Annotation -
The course is focused on deepening knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of selected immune processes,
the basics of which were covered in the introductory Immunology lectures. In the winter semester, students work
individually on an assigned project, while lectures take place in the summer semester.
Last update: Šebková Nataša, RNDr., Ph.D. (09.04.2025)
Literature -
  • Murphy K.: Janeway's Immunobiology (Immunobiology: The Immune System (Janeway)), 8th Edition, Garland Science Publishing 2011, 888 pages, ISBN-13: 978-0815342434

5. vydání je přístupné k vyhledávání na NCBI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=imm.TOC&depth=2

  • A. K. Abbas, A. H. Lichtman, S. Pillai: Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 8th Edition, Saunders 2012, 560 pages, ISBN-13: 978-0323222754

http://books.google.cz/books?id=qtJY05rIUKQC

  • T. J. Kindt, R. A. Goldsby, B. A. Osborne: Kuby Immunology, 7th Edition, W.H. Freeman, 2013, 574 pages, ISBN-13: 978-1429219198

Last update: Šebková Nataša, RNDr., Ph.D. (09.04.2025)
Requirements to the exam -

Students can earn bonus points: an entrance test (1st lecture, max. 5 bonus points), a mid-term test (6th lecture, max. 10 bonus points). At the end of the lectures in the summer semester, the exam will be conducted in the form of a written test (max. 100 points).

Grading:

90 or more points: Excellent (1)

80 or more points: Very good (2)

60 or more points: Good (3)

Less than 60 points: Failed (4)

Last update: Štěpánek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (13.01.2026)
Syllabus -
1. Introduction.�
Models and experimental methods. Major signaling pathways - principles and overview. Entry test (max. 5 BONUS points).
* 2. How cells perceive infection?�
Extracellular and intracellular receptors. Major innate signaling pathways. Danger signals. Interferons.
* 3. Major innate protective mechanisms.�
Complement, phagocytosis and oxidative burst, degranulation, NETosis.
* 4. Receptors of adaptive immunity.�
Generation of B- and T-cells repertoires. Antigen presentation. Cross-presentation. MHCI, MHCII, MHC-like molecules. NK receptors.
5. B-cell development and activation.�
BCR signaling, isotypes, antibody-antigen recognition, in silico designed target binders
6. T-cell development and activation.�
TCR signaling, TCR sequence - specificity relationship, TCR signaling, specific features of TCR, chimeric receptors. Mid-term test (max. 10 BONUS points)
* 7. Interplay between adaptive and innate immunity�
NK cells, Fc receptors, type 1/2/3 immunity, ILCs, gamma-delta T cells
* 8. Co-stimulation and inhibitory signaling.�
Costimulation and inhibitory receptors. Cytokine signaling, regulatory circuits, IL-2 as a model cytokine.
* 9. Cell death.�
Types of cell death, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cell death, removal of dead cells, NK and T-cell mediated cell death, induced depletion of cells by antibodies, TNF-mediated cell death, interferons.
* 10. Immunometabolism.�
Energy metabolism. Glycolytic switch. Role of metabolites in immune regulations. Polyamine synthesis.
* 11. Omics in immunology.�
Systems immunology. Single cell RNAseq, spatial OMICs, proteomics.
Last update: Štěpánek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (20.01.2026)
Learning outcomes

1.    Describe key experimental models and major immune signaling pathways used in molecular immunology. (Understand)

2.    Explain how immune cells recognize infection through extracellular and intracellular receptors, including interferon-based danger responses. (Understand)

3.    Identify and compare major innate defense mechanisms such as complement, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and NETosis. (Understand/Analyze)

4.    Analyze the generation of B- and T-cell receptor repertoires and interpret antigen presentation via MHCI and MHCII pathways. (Apply/Analyze)

5.    Evaluate molecular mechanisms of BCR and TCR signaling, including specificity and engineered receptor concepts. (Analyze/Evaluate)

6.    Assess interactions between innate and adaptive immunity involving NK cells, Fc receptors, ILCs, and unconventional T-cell subsets. (Analyze/Evaluate)

7.    Differentiate co-stimulatory versus inhibitory signaling circuits and predict their effects on immune regulation and cytokine responses. (Apply/Analyze)

8.    Compare immune-related cell death pathways and their roles in inflammatory versus tolerogenic outcomes. (Analyze)

9.    Explain the role of immunometabolism, including glycolytic switching and metabolite-driven immune regulation. (Understand/Analyze)

10. Interpret and critically assess omics-based approaches (scRNA-seq, spatial OMICs, proteomics) in systems immunology research. (Analyze/Evaluate)

11. Design a conceptual experimental strategy integrating molecular signaling or omics tools to address a current immunological question. (Create)

Last update: Štěpánek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (03.02.2026)
Entry requirements -

The prerequisite is the completion and knowledge at the level of one of the basic immunology courses: Immunology (MB150P14E) or Imunologie (MB150P14B).

Last update: Šebková Nataša, RNDr., Ph.D. (09.04.2025)
 
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