Immunology is the study of the immune system, which is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that help protect the body against foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. The immune system also helps to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells within the body, such as cancer cells. In immunology, scientists study the various components of the immune system, including white blood cells, antibodies, and the molecular signals that regulate immune responses. They also examine how the immune system works to recognize and respond to different types of pathogens, and how it distinguishes self from non-self. Immunologists also study how the immune system can be activated to fight infections and other diseases. This can involve developing vaccines, which use harmless components of pathogens to stimulate the immune system and protect against future infections. They also study the mechanisms behind autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, and how to treat these diseases. The field of immunology is interdisciplinary and draws on a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, genetics, and medicine. It is a rapidly growing field, with many new discoveries being made each year that have important implications for the prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Immunology is a branch of biomedical science that covers the study of immune systems in all organisms.
About Immunology Certification
The purpose of certification by the ABAI is to provide assurance to the public and the medical profession that a certified allergist & immunologist has successfully completed an accredited educational program and an evaluation process, including a secure, proctored examination. ABAI certification also assures that the physician possesses the knowledge, skills, and experience requisite to the provision of high-quality patient care in allergy and immunology. The ABAI believes that all allergists/immunologists should have a fundamental knowledge of the biological science basic to this discipline, and that ABAI is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the standards of knowledge required for certification.
Immune system is a fascinating innovation by living organisms to fend off infections by other organisms. Its evolutionary roots are ancient, and many of the components of immune system are conserved from plants to invertebrates to mammals. It has several amazing, awe-inspiring features, including the ability to recognize various classes of pathogens, recruitment of cells to kill bacteria, viruses, as well as infected cells, and last but not the least, the ability to distinguish self from non-self. Knowledge of how the immune system works has helped us in controlling many deadly diseases, including small pox, AIDS, polio, and cancer.
Although immune system is extremely useful to us, learning and mastering this subject can be tough, given the technical terms and huge amount of information the students have to remember and absorb. It sometimes discourages students to take up this subject, and some also lose interest along the way.
Topics:
Introduction to the subject and overview of main concepts
Cells of the Immune System
Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs
Innate Immunity
The Complement system
Antigens and Immunogens
Antibody Structure
Antibody Diversity
Immunological Techniques
MHC and Antigen Presentation
B Cell Development, Differentiation
Humoral Immunity
T Cell Development and Differentiation
Cell-mediated Immunity
Cytokines and Chemokines
Immunological Tolerance
Transplantation Immunology
Immunodeficiency diseases
Cancer Immunology
Cancer Immunotherapy
Hypersensitivity
Autoimmune Diseases
Vaccines
Immunology of COVID-19