Immunology


Faculty List

Professors Emeriti 
B.H. Barber, MSc, PhD 
D.E. Isenman, BSc, PhD 
M.H. Julius, BSc, PhD 
M. Letarte, BSc, PhD 
G. Levy, BSc, MD, FRCP 
R.H. Painter, BSc, PhD 
P. Poussier, MD 
M.J. Shulman, BA, PhD 
G. Wu, MSc, PhD 

Professor and Chair of the Department 
J.C. Zúñiga-Pflücker, BSc, PhD 

University Professor 
T.W. Mak, PhD, D Sc, FRSC 

Professors 
M.K. Anderson, BSc, PhD 
N. Berinstein, MD 
D. Brooks, BSc, PhD 
K. Croitoru, MDCM 
M.I. Cybulsky, MD 
J. Danska, AB, PhD
M. de Perrot, MSc, MD
E. Fish, MSc, PhD 
S. Girardin, PhD
C. Guidos, BSc, PhD 
N. Hirano, MD
R.D. Inman, BA, MD 
N.N. Iscove, PhD, MD 
M. Jeschke, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCSC 
R. Kaul, MD, PhD 
A. Martin, MSc, PhD 
T. McGaha, BSc, PhD 
V. Miron, PhD
P.S. Ohashi, BSc, PhD 
M. Ostrowski, MD, FRCP 
C. Paige, BSc, PhD 
J. Penninger, MD (Adjunct) 
V. Piguet, BM, DRMed, PhD
D.J. Philpott, BSc, PhD 
L. Radvanyi, PhD
M.J.H. Ratcliffe, BSc, PhD 
C. Roifman, MD 
R. Rottapel, MD 
K. Siminovitch, MD, FRCP, ABIM 
D. Wall, MD 
T.H. Watts, BSc, PhD 
J. Wither, MD, PhD 
M. Woo, MD, PhD, FRCPC 
R.S. Yeung, MD, PhD, FRCPC 
L. Zhang, MD, PhD 

Associate Professors 
S. Dunn, BSc, PhD  
G. Ehrhardt, BSc, PhD 
T. Eiwegger, MD, PhD 
S. Epelman, MD, PhD, FRCPC 
E. Grunebaum, BSc, MD
J.P. Julien, BSc, PhD 
S. MacParland, MSc, PhD 
T. Mallevaey, BSc, PhD 
T. Martinu, MD 
C.S. Robbins, BSc, PhD 
D. Spaner, MD, PhD
B. Treanor, BSc, PhD 
F.W. Tsui, MSc, PhD (Adjunct) 
P. Vadas, PhD, MD 
D. Winer, MD 

Assistant Professors 
M. Buechler, PhD
M. Butler, BA, MD 
B. Coburn, MD, PhD
S. Crome, BSc, PhD
A. Gehring, BA, PhD 
S. Harding, PhD
J. Jongstra-Bilen, MSc, DEA, PhD 
S. Juvet, MD, PhD 
O. Khan, PhD
A. Mortha, MSc, PhD 
O. Rojas, PhD
A. Sacher, MD, MMSc, FRCPC
S. Saibil, MD, PhD, FRCPC
L. Serghides, BSc, PhD 
A. Tikhonova, PhD
H. Tsui, PhD, MD 
C. Wang, PhD

Assistant Professors (Teaching Stream) 
S. R. Amith, PhD
S. Berger, MSc, PhD
L. Clemenza, BSc, PhD 
N. Lee, BSc, PhD 
J. Singh, BSc, PhD
T. Yi, PhD

Introduction

Immunology is an integrative branch of the medical sciences that draws upon the more traditional disciplines of Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Pathology, and Biochemistry. In essence, Immunology is the study of the physiological responses that result when foreign (i.e., non-self) materials are introduced into a vertebrate organism such as humans. Traditionally, the discipline has focused on the body's response to infectious micro-organisms, with the purpose of developing effective vaccines. However, the scope of modern Immunology now encompasses all aspects of self vs. non-self recognition phenomena including organ transplantation, tumour immunology and autoimmune diseases. Recent major advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of the immune response promise to provide us with a new generation of prophylactic, therapeutic and diagnostic reagents of relevance to human and animal health.

The Department of Immunology, in collaboration with Trinity College, co-ordinates specialist, major, and minor programs in Immunology. The emphasis of the specialist program is to provide students with a sound theoretical understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of non-self recognition, together with sufficient laboratory experience to enable the students to consider embarking on a career in the discipline. The major and minor programs offer students fundamental training in Immunology and gives them the opportunity to combine Immunology with another program in Life Sciences, Basic Sciences, or within the Arts.

Immunologists may have careers in universities and other centres of learning and research, as well as in the biotechnology industries, diagnostic laboratories and various government agencies. Courses in this specialist program are drawn from offerings by the Department, together with courses from other Departments, taught in some cases by members of the Department of Immunology. As enrolment in the specialist and major programs are restricted, please consult specific requirements outlined in the program description section.

Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies:
Dr. J. Singh

Enquiries:
undergraduate.immunology@utoronto.ca
Department of Immunology, Room 7205, Medical Sciences Building (416-978-6382)

More information is available on our website: https://www.immunology.utoronto.ca/

Immunology Programs

Immunology Specialist (Science Program) - ASSPE1002

Enrolment Requirements:

This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.

Variable Minimum Grade and Variable Minimum Grade Average
Minimum grades combined with a minimum grade average in required courses or their equivalents are needed for entry, and these minimums change each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:

To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade lower than 65% in each course, or a final grade average lower than 70% in these required courses will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining the minimum final grades and grade average does not guarantee admission to the program. While it is difficult to predict what will be competitive course marks and average in a given year, based on previous years, the estimate is: course marks = mid 70s; average = mid 70s. The underlying numeric final mark in each of your courses required for program enrolment will be used by the relevant academic unit to determine your eligibility.

Applications from students lacking numerical grades in one or more of the specified prerequisites, or students applying in their second or later years, may be considered on the basis of their entire academic record and the availability of space in the program. In addition to applying through ACORN, students applying in their second year or later are asked to please contact the department directly at admissions.immunology@utoronto.ca, specify which program you would like to be considered for, and provide your student number.

Please consult the Arts & Science Program Toolkit for more information on program enrolment. Additional information is also available on the Immunology website at www.immunology.utoronto.ca.

Note: The Immunology Specialist cannot be combined with the Biochemistry Major or the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Major.

Completion Requirements:

(13.5 credits)

First Year:
BIO120H1; BIO130H1; ( CHM135H1, CHM136H1)/ CHM151Y1; ( MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/ MAT137Y1

First Year or upper years:
( PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/ ( PHY151H1, PHY152H1) (Note 1)

Second Year:
1. BCH242Y1; BIO230H1; BIO260H1/​ HMB265H1; IMM250H1; STA288H1
2. One course from the following list: BIO220H1/​ TRN225Y1/​ TRN236H1/​ CHM220H1/​ CHM247H1/​ CHM249H1

Third Year:
1. BCH377H1; IMM341H1; IMM351H1; MGY311Y1; IMM360H1
2. MGY377H1/​ MGY378H1

Fourth Year:
1. IMM435H1
2. 1.0 credit from the following list: IMM428H1/​ IMM429H1/​ IMM430H1/​ IMM431H1/​ IMM432H1/​ MIJ485H1
3. IMM450Y1 or 1.0 credit at the 400-level in ANA, BCH, IMM, LMP, MGY, CSB.

Notes:

1. ( PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/ ( PHY151H1, PHY152H1) may be taken in the first year or subsequent years and are not required for entrance into the specialist program.
2. IMM435H1 is capped at 40 students. Priority will be given to Immunology Specialist students, followed by Immunology Major students.
3. Students considering graduate school are encouraged to take IMM385Y1.

Immunology Major (Science Program) - ASMAJ1002

Enrolment Requirements:

This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.

Variable Minimum Grade and Variable Minimum Grade Average
Minimum grades combined with a minimum grade average in required courses or their equivalents are needed for entry, and these minimums change each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:

To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade lower than 60% in each course, or a final grade average lower than 70% in these required courses will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining the minimum final grades and grade average does not guarantee admission to the program. While it is difficult to predict what will be competitive course marks and average in a given year, based on previous years, the estimate is: course marks = mid 70s; average = mid 70s. The underlying numeric final mark in each of your courses required for program enrolment will be used by the relevant academic unit to determine your eligibility.

Applications from students lacking numerical grades in one or more of the specified prerequisites, or students applying in their second or later years, may be considered on the basis of their entire academic record and the availability of space in the program. In addition to applying through ACORN, students applying in their second year or later are asked to please contact the department directly at admissions.immunology@utoronto.ca, specify which program you would like to be considered for, and provide your student number.

Please consult the Arts & Science Program Toolkit for more information on program enrolment. Additional information is also available on the Immunology website at www.immunology.utoronto.ca.

Completion Requirements:

(8.0 credits, including 1.0 credit at the 400-level)

First Year:
BIO120H1; BIO130H1; ( CHM135H1, CHM136H1)/ CHM151Y1

Second Year:
1. BCH210H1; BIO230H1; IMM250H1; BIO260H1/​ HMB265H1
2. 0.5 credit from the following list: BIO220H1/​ STA288H1/​ TRN225Y1/​ TRN236H1/​ CHM247H1/​ CHM249H1

Third Year:
IMM340H1; IMM350H1; CSB349H1/​ BCH311H1; 1.0 credit from the following list: BCH370H1/​ MGY377H1/​ MGY378H1/​ PHL281H1

Fourth Year:
1.0 credit from the following list: IMM428H1/​ IMM429H1/​ IMM430H1/​ IMM431H1/​ IMM432H1/​ IMM435H1/​ MIJ485H1

Notes:

  1. Students considering graduate school are encouraged to add the additional non-compulsory IMM450Y1 research course, if space permits.
  2. MIJ485H1 requires MGY377H1 & MGY378H1 as pre-requisites.
  3. IMM435H1 is capped at 40 students. Priority will be given to Immunology Specialist students, followed by Immunology Major students.

Immunology Minor (Science Program) - ASMIN1002

Enrolment Requirements:

This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.

Completion Requirements:

For more information, refer to the Immunology website at: www.immunology.utoronto.ca.

(4.0 credits)

First Year:
BIO120H1; BIO130H1; ( CHM135H1, CHM136H1)/ CHM151Y1

Second Year:
BIO230H1; IMM250H1

Third Year:
IMM340H1; IMM350H1


Immunology Courses

IMM199H1 - Immunology in the News Today

Hours: 24S

Why do we get sick? How do vaccines work? Does our diet influence our immunity? This course is intended to inspire curiosity about questions generated by immunology concepts that are prevalent in the news today. Different topics will be explored each week including immunity worldwide, human vaccinations and the mucosal immune system. Topics will be placed in context through real-life case studies, immunology virtual laboratory simulation, interactions with faculty members and extensive coverage of the basic science underlying each topic. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM221H1 - Origins of Immunology

Hours: 24L/12T

This course will examine the milestones in the field of immunology from ancient to current times, with specific emphasis on 1880 to 1980. It will observe how the concept of immunity has changed over time and examine the major events and discoveries that shaped how immunology is viewed today. Pioneers, such as Edward Jenner, Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, Paul Ehrlich and Brigitte Askonas, and their contributions to the field will be discussed in both historical and scientific context as well as their impact on society. Assignments are staggered for students to build upon instructor’s feedback.

Recommended Preparation: BIO120H1, BIO130H1
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

IMM250H1 - The Immune System and Infectious Disease

Hours: 24L

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of immunity to infectious disease and how breakdown of the immune response can lead to auto-immunity. We will trace the history of current ideas in immunology and the immune response by examining how bacteria and viruses cause disease and the initial discoveries that led to such developments as vaccination. Current topical and newsworthy infectious diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, SARS, avian flu) will be used as examples of how the immune system copes with microbial infections.

Recommended Preparation: BIO120H1, BIO130H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM299Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

IMM340H1 - Fundamental Immunology

Hours: 24L/12T

This course introduces the basic principles and key players of the immune system: differences and interplay between innate and adaptive immunity, how immune cells develop and function, how immune cells recognize threats and danger and mount an appropriate and measured response.

Prerequisite: BIO230H1
Exclusion: IMM341H1
Recommended Preparation: IMM250H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM341H1 - Fundamental Immunology (Advanced)

Hours: 24L/12T

This course introduces the fundamental principles and key players of the immune system: differences and interplay between innate and adaptive immunity, how immune cells develop and function, how immune cells recognize threats and danger and mount an appropriate and measured response. Intended for students specializing in Immunology and related programs.

Prerequisite: BIO230H1
Exclusion: IMM340H1
Recommended Preparation: IMM250H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM350H1 - The Immune System in Action

Hours: 24L/12T

This course illustrates how different elements of the immune system come together to mount efficient and measured responses. Topics include response to infectious microorganisms, allergy and autoimmunity, immune responses against cancer, and transplantation immunology.

Prerequisite: IMM340H1/ IMM341H1
Exclusion: IMM351H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM351H1 - The Immune System in Action (Advanced)

Hours: 24L/12T

This course illustrates how different elements of the immune system come together to mount efficient and measured responses. Topics include response to infectious microorganisms, allergy and autoimmunity, immune responses against cancer, and transplantation immunology. Intended for students specializing in Immunology and related programs.

Prerequisite: IMM341H1/ IMM340H1
Exclusion: IMM350H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM360H1 - Scientific Methods and Research in Immunology

Hours: 24L/24T

This course will provide students with an opportunity to advance their understanding of research in Immunology in accordance with scientific methodology. Students will critically appraise scientific articles, design and analyze scientific experiments, and develop the core skills of data and statistical literacy. This course is well suited for anyone interested in discovering knowledge in Immunology, providing students with a methodology for the achievement of scientific research activities.

Prerequisite: IMM250H1, BCH210H1/ BCH242Y1, BIO230H1/ BIO255H1, BIO260H1/ HMB265H1, STA288H1/ STA220H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM385Y1 - Special Research Project in Immunology

Hours: 180P

This course provides an opportunity for students to conduct a research project under the supervision of a member of the Faculty. Students are expected to devote a minimum of seven hours per week to the course from the week the fall term lectures begin to the last week of the spring term. Research projects will involve experimental design and work, data analyses, literature reading etc.

Prerequisite: IMM250H1
Corequisite: IMM340H1/ IMM341H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM428H1 - Molecular Immunology

Hours: 24L

This course will focus on the molecular and cellular biology of immune recognition. The course will emphasize historical and recent experimental evidence leading to our current understanding of immune recognition. Subtopics are subject to change and have recently included mechanisms of diversification of immunoglobulin receptors, T cell –MHC interactions, T cell activation and signaling mechanisms; receptors of the innate immune system, immune recognition by natural killer cells.

Prerequisite: BCH210H1/ BCH242Y1, BCH311H1/ CSB349H1/ MGY311Y1/ PSL350H1, IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM429H1 - Developmental Immunology

Hours: 24L

Hematopoiesis, myelopoiesis, lymphopoiesis, a study of the development of cells involved in the immune system including their ontogeny, physical, molecular, and biochemical characteristics, regulation of differentiation and maturation, positive and negative selection of lymphocytes.

Prerequisite: IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM430H1 - Clinical Immunology

Hours: 24L/24T

This course will address the underlying pathogenesis as well as highlight the challenges of treating immune-related conditions such as autoimmunity, cancer, HIV, and transplantation and graft rejection. Half of the lectures will address the genetics and cellular pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes and lupus. Other lectures will overview a number of immunological challenges faced in the clinic, such as preventing graft rejection after transplantation or boosting the immune system to fight cancer and HIV.

Prerequisite: IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM431H1 - Immunotherapy

Hours: 24L/12T

Therapies that enhance, or suppress, the body’s immune response have proven remarkably efficient for the treatment of human diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. Some of these therapies, such as the so-called checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies have recently leaped from bench to bedside. This course will cover the fundamental immune principles at play, how they were discovered, as well as the existing and future immune therapies to treat these diseases.

Prerequisite: IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Recommended Preparation: IMM428H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM432H1 - Case Studies in Autoimmune Diseases

Hours: 36S

Understanding autoimmune diseases and identifying molecular targets that either slow or stop disease progression is critical for the development of novel and effective therapies that improve patient quality of life. This course will use case-based learning and an interactive seminar format to provide an advanced overview of autoimmune diseases and their treatments, and will include the in-depth study of selected autoimmune diseases highlighting the patient’s perspective.

Prerequisite: IMM340H1/ IMM341H1, IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Recommended Preparation: IMM360H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM433H1 - Neuroimmunology

Hours: 24L

This course will provide students with an opportunity to advance their understanding of the emerging interdisciplinary research in Neuroimmunology. Topics covered include neural regulation of immune cells and lymphoid organs, and the reciprocal immune-mediated regulation of the central and peripheral nervous system. An in-depth analysis of microglial cells, meningeal immunity, as well as peripheral immunity will be discussed in the context of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

Prerequisite: IMM340H1/ IMM341H1, IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM435H1 - Practical Immunology

Hours: 72P

Application of basic principles acquired from IMM350H1/ IMM351H1; immunological procedures performed in research and diagnostic laboratories using molecular and cellular approaches; instruction through lectures, video tapes, and practical exercises in the laboratory. (Lab Materials Fee: $50)

Prerequisite: BCH210H1/ BCH242Y1, IMM350H1/ IMM351H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

IMM450Y1 - Research Project in Immunology

Hours: 154P

An opportunity for specialized research in Immunology under the supervision of a member of the Faculty. There are no pre- or co-requisites, although preference is given to Immunology Specialist and Major students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

MIJ485H1 - Vaccines and Immunity

Hours: 36L

Analysis of the strategies used by pathogenic microbes to evade specific and innate immune responses, and the strategies used to combat infectious disease using vaccines, with an emphasis on molecular and immunological aspects. Special topics include: molecular basis of pathogenicity and immune-evasion strategies; vaccination strategies; challenges to vaccine implementation (given jointly by the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Immunology).

Prerequisite: ( IMM340H1/ IMM341H1), ( IMM350H1/ IMM351H1), MGY377H1, MGY378H1
Exclusion: MBY480H1, MGY485H1
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

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