Immunology and Immunogenetics MSc
Overview
A normal functioning immune system is essential for health by providing resistance to infection and eliminating malignancy. Some individuals are born with genetic mutations that cause the immune system not to function properly and many of these immunodeficiency diseases are fatal if not treated successfully. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has illustrated alarmingly the consequences of a non-functioning immune system. Understanding of the immune system has been utilised in the development of many vaccines that protect children from infections and better understanding of the immune system is leading to the development of new vaccines. An exciting new development is attempting to harness the immune system in treatments for cancer. Herceptin is an example of immunotechnology leading to new treatment for breast cancer.
However it is becoming increasingly appreciated that malfunction of the immune system is involved in a wide variety of disease states. Allergy (including asthma, hay-fever and food allergies) has increased enormously in incidence over the last 50 years in developed countries. Autoimmune diseases like Type 1 Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis have shown a similar increase in incidence. It is now accepted that a detailed understanding of the immune system is required for the design of effective vaccines and treatment of immune related diseases in both developed and developing countries.
This programme aims to provide a thorough knowledge of contemporary immunology at the cellular and molecular level. It also looks at the genetic basis of immune related disease and other genetic elements of the immune system. Using these approaches, insights are gained into the ways in which this can help in immunodiagnosis and the control and treatment of disease.
Careers
About 30% of graduates from the course go on to do PhDs. A significant proportion obtain employment as Research Assistants/Technicians in Universities, hospitals or industry. Other first destinations have included Medical School, other post-graduate education (MSc, MPhil, MRes) and patent law.
For graduate profiles, see: Melissa Mariani ¦ Aikaterinin Bazakou ¦ Mushref Bakri