Advanced Immunology and Immune Technologies
Big idea: This Grade 12 capstone connects antigen presentation, clonal selection, affinity maturation, immune memory, immunotherapy to evaluate complex biological systems through evidence, uncertainty, responsible inference and real-world application.
Learning goals
- antigen presentation
- clonal selection
- affinity maturation
- immune memory
- immunotherapy
Core concepts
antigen presentation
Display of processed peptide fragments on cell-surface molecules for recognition by T cells.
clonal selection
Activation and expansion of rare lymphocytes whose receptors specifically recognize an antigen.
affinity maturation
Selection of B-cell variants that produce antibodies binding antigen more strongly during an immune response.
immune memory
Long-lived lymphocytes and antibodies that enable a faster, stronger response after re-exposure.
immunotherapy
Treatment that redirects, restores or enhances immune recognition and elimination of diseased cells.