Fish Immunology

The aim of the course is to develop knowledge among students about the fish's immune system, its interaction with fish pathogens and responses to stimulation and vaccines. Certain crustaceans will also be included. This knowledge is developed through lectures, group work, written assignment submissions and through laboratory courses.

Course provides an overview of the immune system in fish with emphasis on aquaculture species. The student will learn about the different organs, cells and molecules and how these work and collaborate, and how cells and functions are regulated and stimulated. The students are especially to develop knowledge about vaccines, immune stimulants, vaccination and immunostimulants for aquatic organisms with emphasis on the immune prophylaxis for aquaculture species.

Through group work, the student will develop skills of cooperation that could lead to better learning. Written inside deliveries will promote the ability to manufacture and synthesis of acquired knowledge, even from scientific publications. The aim of the laboratory course is to promote understanding, interest and curiosity of immunology through practical work with immune cells and the study of their functions

The course deals with the autogenous immune system, immune competence, humoral and cellular immunity. The course has a limited number of places. Students accepted to master's programmes at the Department of Biology will be given priority.

After completing the course, students should be able to

• Describe the fish's immune system, and central features of the immune system in crustaceans that is relevant for immune stimulation of farmed species.
• Describe the functions of immune organs
• Describe the immune cells and their functions and receptors
• Describe the innate immune system, key molecules and cells and their interactions and activation
• Describing the specific immune system and the activation of it
• Describe key immune molecules and their biological activities
• Describe antigen-antibody reactions and understand immunological specificity
• Describing the activity of immune systems by intra-and extracellular infections.
• Describe mechanisms of intracellular killing of pathogens.
• Describe the mechanisms of antigen presentation
• Describe the different types of vaccines and vaccination methods that are used for fishing.
• Describe immune stimulants and use of these
• Could consider documentation of vaccines for fish
• The laboratory course provides insight into the isolation and study of fish immune cells, selected cell markings, functional analysis and measurement of appropriate immune responses in fish."

The aim of the course is to give students knowledge of immunology to elucidate fish health, immune defence and immune prophylactics.

Bachelor/Master

Autumn.

This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.