A series of specialist lectures is provided on current understanding of the role of innate immunity in the elicitation of an inflammatory response in response to cellular damage and infection and in the induction of acquired immunity. There will be a particular focus on pattern recognition receptors and cell damage- and microbe-associated molecular patterns and their contribution to immune activation in the context of infection with extracellular and intracellular pathogens, tumour recognition, immunoevasion, immunopathology and vaccine development. The content of the lectures will be expanded and consolidated through sessions focused on research on each family of receptors and the preparation and delivery of presentations by the students and discussion groups.

1) The students will achieve a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of recent advances and problems at the forefront of research in innate immunology. A comprehensive understanding of techniques and critical evaluation of research will be attained through the discussion of primary research manuscripts during lectures and discussion groups.

2) The students will have to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in innate immunity.