Semester 1

Brief description of aims and content

This module provides understanding in Laboratory investigation of immunological disorders, immunoassays development, Immunotherapies, principles of vaccine development and advanced immunological techniques

8. Graduate Attributes & Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1.     Immunological disorders

2.     Principles of immunological assays and their development

3.     The principles of vaccination

4.     Principles of immunotherapies

5.     Immunological techniques such as Flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence, antibody production and purification.

B. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of Knowledge

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1.     Describe the intended purpose of immunoassays

2.     Describe assay validation pathways

3.     Describe different types of vaccines and their mechanisms

4.     Discuss the principles of immunotherapies

5.     Discuss the principles of immunological techniques

6.     Discuss antibody production and purification

C. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills/Information Literacy

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Clearly deliver academic presentations on immunoassays development.
2. Organise different seminars and group presentations about immunoassays
3. Search immunology scientific literature
4. Competently manipulate different immunology analysers

5.     Perform and interpret different immunological techniques such Flow cytometry, Western blot, antibody production and purification.

Indicative content:

1. Laboratory investigation of immunological disorders:

—  Innate immunity

—  Investigation of complement and immune complex disorders

—  Assessment of the function of granulocytes (neutrophils)  and monocytes

—  Analysis of cytokines in vitro

2. Immunoassays

—  The principle of immunoassays

—  2.2. Development of immunoassays

—  2.3. Validation of immunoassays

3. Vaccination

—  Principle of vaccination and vaccine discoveries

—  Types of vaccination in use

—  Vaccine development (e.g. anti-viral)

4. Immunotherapies;

—  Activation immunotherapies;

—  Cancer immunotherapy,

—  Dendritic based pup priming

—  T cell adoptive transfer

Suppression immunotherapies

—  Immunosuppressive drugs

—  Immune tolerance

5. Advanced immunological techniques such as;

—  Flow cytometry

—  Western blot

COURSE PLAN

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures: ………30………...hours

Discussions: …5………….hours

Assignments: …5……….hours

Demonstrations: 5…….hours

Practicals: ………25……….hours

Self-Study: ……28…….…hours

Test: ………………2………..hours

Total: ………100………………hours

Assessment: 50% continuous assessment; 50% examination

Research Resources (At least 3):

1.     Sally V. Rudmann, PhD, MT (ASCP) SBB, CLS. (2005). Textbook of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine - Elsevier eBook on VitalSource, 2nd Edition Saunders ISBN: 9781437719895

2.     Phil Learoyd, Robin Knight, Peter Rogan, Martin Haines (2009). An Introduction to Blood Transfusion Science and Blood Bank PracticePaperback

3.     American Association of Blood Banks: Practical Guide to Blood Transfusion, AABB Press, Bethesda, 2001

The aim of this module is to equip students with knowledge and skills for effective management of Blood transfusion services. Particularly, the principles of setting up and running transfusion services will be covered. The specifics of quality assurance will be discussed, as well as the main blood transfusion processes and SOPs, records, reports, haemovigilance the maintenance of equipment and finally, the principles of monitoring and evaluation in blood transfusion Service.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, and management of major haematological disorders, with emphasis on coagulation, anaemia, thrombosis, and special haematological considerations in pregnancy and paediatrics.

The course begins with the principles of blood coagulation and haemostasis, outlining the normal physiological mechanisms that maintain vascular integrity and prevent abnormal bleeding or clotting. Students are introduced to bleeding disorders, covering their causes, clinical manifestations, vascular and platelet abnormalities, laboratory investigative approaches, and therapeutic strategies.

The module further examines coagulation disorders, distinguishing between hereditary and acquired conditions, their clinical features, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment modalities. This is followed by an in-depth study of thrombosis and anti-thrombotic therapy, where students learn about the causes, types, pathology, clinical features, diagnostic investigations, and therapeutic interventions, including modern antithrombotic agents.

The second half of the course introduces anaemia, including key definitions, epidemiology, and general clinical and laboratory concepts. Students will study the classification of anaemia using physiological (RBC indices), etiological, and morphological approaches. This includes anaemias due to reduced production, ineffective erythropoiesis, globin or haem synthesis defects (e.g., thalassaemias, haemoglobinopathies), increased red cell destruction (haemolysis), and acute blood loss. The course also emphasizes the laboratory investigation of anaemia, treatment strategies, and basic principles of blood transfusion practice.

Finally, the course addresses pregnancy and paediatric haematology, focusing on the unique haematological changes during pregnancy, neonatal and infant blood disorders, and the laboratory investigation of haematological abnormalities in these special populations.

By the end of this course, students will have a strong foundation in clinical haematology, enabling them to integrate knowledge of disease mechanisms with laboratory and clinical approaches for diagnosis and treatment of common and complex haematological disorders.

The aim of this module is to help students to acquire knowledge about microbes and their importance in food industry. They will master the basic techniques in food microbiology and have knowledge of food poisoning and food spoilage. It will also help students to apply the knowledge of medical microbes in the in analysis of water, sewage and air, food, milk and milk products.