The UCI Immunology Graduate Training Program is part of the large, multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biosciences. The Immunology Training Program functions as an area of study within the larger program, sharing a common core curriculum and admissions process. Essential for life in a world filled with potentially deadly pathogens, the immune system must constantly adapt to attack microbes and tumor cells. Yet, at the same time, the components of the immune system must be highly specific to prevent activation by self-tissue; such self-activation could cause autoimmune disease. This intricate and often precarious balance is fundamental to immunity. The innate immune system is the first and immediate line of defense against pathogens, and consists of complement proteins, cytokines, natural killer cells, phagocytes and antimicrobial peptides. The adaptive immune response develops secondarily, is mediated by antigen-presenting cells and T and B lymphocytes, and has both cellular and humoral responses, the latter of which involve soluble immunoglobulin mediators (antibodies). The immune responses normally lead to elimination of pathogens, but under some circumstances, they can augment disease.
The faculty members with an immunology research focus seek to define and understand how the immune system effectively prevents disease by microbial infection or oncogenic transformation, while at the same time avoids damaging self-tissues. Many are using this knowledge to develop novel and effective disease prevention and therapeutic measures. The students enrolled in the immunology program will gain a thorough understanding of these processes in humans as well as in comparative animal models. The training includes recommended course work and research rotations in the laboratories of associated investigators, in addition to an Immunology Journal Club and weekly Seminars in Immunology hosted by the Institute for Immunology. Student fellowship opportunities are available through several NIH-sponsored training grants.
More information can be found in the UCI Institute for Immunology web page.
Full Immunology Faculty Listing
