2020-21 Academic Catalog

The immune system directly influences the central nervous system and behavior during both health and disease. The course will have an emphasis on animal behavior (e.g. memory and sociability assays) and techniques in neuroimmunology that range from genetic engineering (e.g. CRISPR and DREADD) to immune cell function, detection of surface receptors, and protein expression (e.g. flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, immune cell migration assays, ELISA, and western blot.) The topics that will be covered range from how cytokines influence behavior to effects of gut microbiota in brain function and behavior. This course will primarily use empirical research that will help you develop a deeper understanding of molecular techniques, cell biology, and develop strong analytical skills of biological findings in immunology and its connection with animal behavior.  Prerequisite: Neuroscience 127 or Psychology 216 recommended or instructor permission