Immunity and the Immune System
10 credits
This module provides an overview of the mechanisms and concepts underpinning the science of immunology and allergy.
Tumour Immunology
10 credits
An overview of immunological approaches to cancer immunotherapy and immunological mechanisms and how these may be used to optimise therapeutic approaches. You'll cover topics such as:
- Anti-tumour Antibody Responses
- Cellular Anti-tumour Immunity
- Natural Killer Cells
- CAR and redirected T Cell therapies
- Cytokine Therapy
- Immune evasion by tumours
Cell, Developmental and Molecular Biology
20 credits
This module provides you with an in-depth understanding of normal cell regulatory mechanisms and how these are altered during the carcinogenic process.
Research Skills and Technology Exploitation
20 credits
This module focuses on the commercialism of research with lectures also on intellectual property. Invited speakers from the industry will contribute to this module.
You'll learn how to write a business plan on a cancer immunotherapy concept. You'll work in groups to represent individuals in a company and develop your own novel concept and create a business plan.
Cancer Immunotherapy
30 credits
This module gives you information on cancer vaccines. Topics include: what makes a good vaccine; different vaccine designs; animal models and immunological techniques. This module will cover subjects that have been introduced on the tumour immunology module in more depth.
You'll also cover the generation of monoclonal antibodies, clinical trials involving antibodies and the future uses of antibody therapy in cancer prevention.
Cancer Statistics and Epidemiology
10 credits
This module will give you an understanding of the principles underlying the design and analysis of epidemiological studies and clinical trials.
You will use a range of statistical sources in clinical research, and use those sources to describe and explain concepts fundamental to clinical research of all kinds. You will also learn to describe, interpret and appraise the applicability of statistical methods in a wide range of clinical and biological research.
Host Tumour Interface
20 credits
This module highlights the current understanding of the immunobiology of tumours. This will include the following topics: immunosurveillance, tumour resistance, regulatory T cells. antigenic targets, cytokine therapy, non-specific immunity and animal models.
Research Project
60 credits
This module enables students to experience contemporary research methods by engaging them to design a research programme and perform experiments, surveys, or other research activities aimed at solving a specific biomedical problem.
Each student will be allocated an academic supervisor with whom they will discuss the research project prior to commencement. Students will first collect, analyse data, read and collate previous results relevant to their project, then embark on a period of research before preparing, writing and submitting a scientific paper. They will write a clear and concise report and will discuss their work with academic members during an oral presentation.
The form of project may vary and it will be based on laboratory work, audit, patient studies or an extended literature review. The principal activities will be completion of the practical work and submission of a final report in the form of a dissertation and presentation.