Infection and Immunity--Why are We so Healthy?

Section 2: The Villages, Mondays, February 23, March 2, 9, and 16, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Fee: $60

When Feb 23, 2009
from 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm
Where The Villages

Section 2: (This course is also offered on January 12)

The immune system is a double-edged sword. Although it protects us from infectious disease, it can also be too powerful, harming us with allergies, autoimmune diseases and graft rejection. The immune system uses a dynamic network of cells and molecules to recognize and eliminate invaders.

 

  • Week 1 - Introduction: Infection and how the immune system responds
  • Week 2 - Vaccines (e.g. smallpox, influenza, shingles and pneumovax)
  • Week 3 - Allergies and autoimmunity (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis)
  • Week 4 - Immunodeficiencies and transplantation

 

Optional text for background reading: In Defense of Self: How the Immune System Really Works by William R. Clark (2008), available in paperback.

 

Linda D. Caren received her master's and PhD in the department of medical microbiology at Stanford University. She is emeritus professor of biology at California State University, Northridge. Some of the courses she has taught are immunology, medical microbiology, hematology, cell and tissue culture and genetics. For the last few years she has taught Principles in Immunology at UC Santa Cruz Extension. In 2005 and 2008, she taught Infection and Immunity in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCSC Extension.

 

 

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