Fundamentals of Immunology: T Cells and Signaling from Coursera

Course 2 of a three course specialization called Fundamentals of Immunology. Each course in the specialization presents material that builds on the previous course's material.

This is the second half of the journey through the defenses your body uses to keep you healthy. In the first part we learned about innate immunity and B cell function. The second part covers T cell function and coordination of the immune response.

Fundamentals of Immunology: T cells and Signaling builds on the first course to describe the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. The early lectures survey cells, tissues and organs using metaphors, cartoons and models to improve understanding and retention. This course includes the structure of both MHC proteins and T cell receptors and the sources of variation. The course provides animations of gene rearrangement, developmental processes and signal cascades. Testing employs multiple choice questions testing facts, concepts, and application of principles. Questions may refer to diagrams, drawing and photographs used in lecture and reproduced in the outline.

What You’ll Learn:

How complement uses adaptive and innate triggers to target pathogens. The detailed structure and coding of MHC proteins and both alpha-beta and gamma delta receptors and how these proteins interact to initiate an adaptive immune response. The basics of signaling, and the varieties of external receipt and internal activation pathways. We bine the process of putting together how signals and crosstalk control the activity of the immune system.

What's inside

Syllabus

Complement

The Major Histocompatability Complex

Antigen Processing and Presentation

T-Cell Receptors

T-Cell Development

Cytokines and Signaling

Final

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops advanced knowledge in immunology, particularly T cell function and coordination of the immune response

Beneficial for students interested in the biological sciences such as biology, biotechnology, immunology, pathology, or medicine

Covers advanced concepts and terminology used in the field of immunology

May require additional background knowledge in immunology

Uses various learning materials, including lectures, animations, diagrams, and multiple-choice questions

Provides a strong foundation for further study or research in immunology

Reviews summary

Engaging course on t cell function

Learners say this largely positive course offers a solid overview of T cells and their role in immunology. The engaging assignments and excellent instructor make the complex material more accessible, but some learners note that the sheer volume of information can be difficult to manage. Overall, learners appreciate the course's thoroughness and recommend it to learners with some prior knowledge in immunology.

The course focuses specifically on T cells.

"In this course, I have learnt how the T cell functions and coordinate their immune response."

"This course is so interesting and fun. Not an easy A though, you'll likely have to spend a good amount of time processing the information and finding links between all of the different parts that make up T cell development and the signaling involved."

Students describe the course and instructors as engaging and enthusiastic.

"The coursera was wonderfull, the teacher is very didact and nice."

"Amazing lecturer! I will be keep on coming back to the material!"

"Este curso me permitió conceptualizar de forma práctica a través de una excelente docente y recursos pedagógicos"

Learners may benefit from having some prior knowledge in immunology.

"I have prior knowledge about this topic, still this course seems too hard for me."

"I think the model of quiz from the first course was better"

"This is a challenging subject, chiefly because most things are named by letters and numbers - IL-4, CD-8, c5, JAK-STAT, etc."

Many learners find the challenging material to be offset by the excellent teaching.

"This is a challenging subject, chiefly because most things are named by letters and numbers"

"Pace at which some lectures were delivered seemed inappropriate to the complexity of material"

"A very thorough and well presented course. Prof. Novotny knows her subject very well and she is a teacher at heart"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Immunology: T Cells and Signaling with these activities:

Read Janeway's Immunobiology

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Reading Janeway's Immunobiology will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the field of immunology, including the role of T cells and adaptive immunity.

View Janeway's Immunobiology on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of Janeway's Immunobiology.
Create a reading schedule that allows you to complete the book within the recommended timeframe.
Take notes and highlight important concepts as you read.
Complete the end-of-chapter review questions to test your understanding.

Follow tutorials on MHC presentation to T cells

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Guided tutorials will provide you with step-by-step instructions and support, allowing you to gain a better understanding of MHC presentation to T cells.

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Identify online tutorials or video lectures on MHC presentation to T cells.
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided in the tutorials.
Take notes and ask questions if needed.

Compile a collection of resources on T cell-related research

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Creating a compilation of resources will help you gather and organize relevant information on T cell-related research, providing a valuable reference for your learning.

Browse courses on Immunology

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Conduct a literature search using databases such as PubMed or Google Scholar.
Identify and select high-quality research articles, reviews, and other resources.
Categorize and organize the resources using a tool like Zotero or Mendeley.

Five other activities

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Join a study group to discuss T cell development

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Engaging in peer discussions will allow you to share knowledge, ask questions, and solidify your understanding of T cell development.

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Find a study group or form one with classmates.
Identify topics related to T cell development to discuss.
Take turns presenting information and facilitating discussions.

Test your knowledge of T cell signaling pathways

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Practice solving problems related to T cell signaling pathways to reinforce your understanding and identify areas where you need additional support.

Browse courses on Cell Signaling

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Review the lecture notes and textbook materials on T cell signaling pathways.
Attempt to solve practice problems related to T cell signaling pathways, such as those found in the course materials or online resources.
Check your answers and identify any areas where you need additional support.

Attend a workshop on T cell signaling and function

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Attending a workshop will provide you with an in-depth exploration of T cell signaling and function, allowing you to engage with experts and gain practical insights.

Browse courses on T Cells

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Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.
Take notes and ask questions to enhance your understanding.

Create a presentation on the role of T cells in adaptive immunity

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Creating a presentation will help you synthesize and retain information about the role of T cells in adaptive immunity, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding.

Browse courses on T Cells

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Research and gather information on the role of T cells in adaptive immunity.
Organize your information into a logical flow.
Create visual aids, such as slides or diagrams, to support your presentation.
Practice presenting your information clearly and effectively.

Contribute to an open-source immunology project

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Contributing to an open-source project will allow you to apply your skills, learn from others, and make a valuable contribution to the field of immunology.

Browse courses on Immunology

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Identify an open-source immunology project that aligns with your interests and skills.
Contact the project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Identify a specific area or task where you can make a meaningful contribution.
Submit your contributions to the project repository.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Immunology: T Cells and Signaling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Immunologist

Immunologists research the immune system and its role in health and disease. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be highly relevant to a career as an Immunologist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Immunologist

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to the public. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course may be useful in building a foundation for a career in this field, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Medical Scientist

Medical Scientists study and research the causes and cures of diseases. They must have a deep understanding of immunology and signaling to perform their work. This course may be useful in building a foundation for a career in this field, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Scientist

Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare providers on how to improve their operations and patient care. They may work for consulting firms, hospitals, or other healthcare organizations. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Healthcare Consultant, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as healthcare policy or finance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates manage clinical trials for new drugs and medical devices. They may work for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, or contract research organizations. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Clinical Research Associate, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as clinical trial design or data management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Medical Physicist

Medical Physicists use physics to improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They may work for hospitals, clinics, or research institutions. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Medical Physicist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as radiation therapy or medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Physicist

Science Policy Analyst

Science Policy Analysts advise policymakers on the scientific and technological implications of public policy. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or research institutions. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Science Policy Analyst, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as public policy or science communication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Virologist

Virologists study viruses and their interactions with the immune system. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Virologist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as viral replication or pathogenesis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virologist

Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on humans and the environment. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Toxicologist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as toxicology or risk assessment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

Public Health Scientist

Public Health Scientists conduct research to improve the health of populations. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Public Health Scientist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as public health policy or program evaluation.

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Parasitologist

Parasitologists study parasites and their interactions with the immune system. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Parasitologist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as parasite replication or pathogenesis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Parasitologist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be somewhat helpful to an Epidemiologist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as epidemiology or biostatistics.

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Bacteriologist

Bacteriologists study bacteria and their interactions with the immune system. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Bacteriologist, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as bacterial replication or pathogenesis.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design and develop medical devices and equipment. They may work for medical device companies, hospitals, or other healthcare organizations. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Biomedical Engineer, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as biomaterials or medical device design.

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Patent Attorney

Patent Attorneys help clients obtain and protect patents for their inventions. They may work for law firms, corporations, or government agencies. This course would be somewhat helpful to a Patent Attorney, as it covers topics such as the functions of Complement, MHC presentation to T cells, T cell development and signaling. However, it does not cover topics such as patent law or intellectual property.

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