The Molecular Immunology Lab coordinates the Utrecht University Infection and Immunology (I&I) Master's course "Signalling and Techniques in Immunology". This is a three week course involving lectures and masterclasses open to all I&I Masters students.
Cell
signalling
is part
of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and
coordinates cell actions. The ability of cells to perceive and correctly
respond to their microenvironment is the basis of development, tissue repair,
and immunity as well as normal tissue homeostasis. Errors in cellular
information processing are responsible for diseases such as cancer,
autoimmunity, and diabetes. By understanding the molecular mechanisms
underlying cell signalling, it is possible to develop novel therapies for a
wide variety of diseases.
Cells
receive information from their environment through a class of proteins known as
receptors. The information is then processed through signalling pathways and
decoded in the nucleus.. Cell signalling research involves studying the spatial
and temporal dynamics of both receptors and the components of signalling
pathways to determine what parts are actually present in a given cell, where
the parts are located, and what the parts are doing.
Regulation
of immune system functioning is extremely complex and involves
communication
between multiple cell types through a plethora of cellular receptors.
This can
be mediated by cell-cell contact or release of soluble factors, such as
cytokines, but ultimately results in changes in immune cell production
and
function. This course aims to develop a molecular understanding of the
fundamental intracellular signalling process regulated through diverse
cell
surface immune receptors. Furthermore, state-of-the-art techniques will
be discussed as well as how they can be applied to studying these
processes in immune cells.
For more information please visit the course website:
http://sites.google.com/a/cofferlab.info/signallingcourse/Home