Immunotoxicology of Drugs and Chemicals

Catalog description

An in depth discussion of the effect of xenobiotics and drugs on host immune mechanisms. VB SC 451 Immunotoxicology of Drugs and Chemicals (3) Maintaining good health is a priority for most of us, and a key element in staying healthy is a properly functioning immune system. However, we are constantly exposed to a barrage of chemicals in the environment both natural and man-made. Some of the key questions asked included: 1) do environmental chemicals affect the generation of immunity?, 2) is our environment to blame for bad health? , and 3) can natural compounds cause immunotoxicity? These questions and more will be addressed in Immunotoxicology. This course will focus primarily on the effects of chemicals in the environment but will also cover the impact of other factors such as therapeutics, recreational drugs, and dietary factors on the immune system. Immunomodulatory mechanisms will be examined at systemic, cellular and molecular levels. Discussions will include theory, principles, and methodology and key issues in immunotoxicity, host immune mechanisms, and tumorigenesis. Key issues in regulatory immunotoxicology will be discussed to make students prepared for jobs in Federal Regulatory Agencies. Grading for undergraduates will include midterm and finals, and class participation; while graduate students will be required to also write a short, immunotoxicologically-related research proposal. Our intent is to provide a bridge between the two sciences and the undergraduate majors of Immunology and Toxicology, with an introduction to the basic mechanisms by which environmental, occupational, and therapeutic agents may interfere with immunologic systems. Immunotoxicology is offered every fall semester and is designed for undergraduate students from toxicology, immunology, and forensic science majors.