Immunity and the Principles and Practice of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics

Module details

Title

Immunity and the Principles and Practice of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics

Type

Rotation

Module code

SLS101

Credits

10

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module will enable trainees to apply their knowledge and understanding of the immune system and immune responses to (i) the services provided by Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratory services and (ii) the organisation and delivery of these services.

Competencies

#	Learning outcome	Competency	Action
# 1	Learning outcome 1,2	Competency Identify the appropriate tests for at least two H&I clinical presentations.	Action View
# 2	Learning outcome 1,2	Competency Receive, label and store a range of immunological specimens Serum specimens DNA specimens Lymphocyte specimens	Action View
# 3	Learning outcome 3,5	Competency Select and apply appropriate control materials.	Action View
# 4	Learning outcome 3,5	Competency Use automated methods, techniques and instrumentation to include at least four of the following: Immunoassay Electrophoresis Immunoflourescence Microscopy Flow cytometry X map technology Complement dependent cytotoxicity PCR	Action View
# 5	Learning outcome 1,4,5	Competency Interpret laboratory data in the light of clinical details on patients with common disorders where transplantation is the therapy of choice, including at least 2 of the following; Autoimmune disorders Immunodeficiency disorders Renal disorders Other solid organ disorders Haematological malignancies Disease associations Drug hypersensitivity	Action View
# 6	Learning outcome 1,2,4	Competency Produce interpretative reports on laboratory investigations.	Action View
# 7	Learning outcome 1,3	Competency Control infection risks in accordance with departmental protocols.	Action View
# 8	Learning outcome 1,3	Competency Minimise risks and hazards in compliance with Health and Safety policies.	Action View

Assessments

You must complete:

• 1 case-based discussion(s)
• 1 of the following DOPS/ OCEs:

Receive label and store a selection of immunological specimens	DOPS
Perform laboratory techniques used in clinical immunology	DOPS
Demonstrate the ability to use laboratory IT systems for handling, processing and storage of patient data	DOPS

Learning outcomes

1. Interpret routine requests for common H&I investigations in the correct clinical context and process the specimens that accompany those requests.
2. Use laboratory IT systems for handling, processing, storing and retrieving patient data.
3. Perform a range of laboratory techniques used in the workplace in H&I.
4. Report the results of commonly performed H&I investigations.
5. Apply the principles of internal quality control and external quality assessment and draw appropriate conclusions about assay performance.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the function of the immune system in health and the function of the major cells of the immune system.
2. Explain the function of the major humoral components of the immune response.
3. Explain the innate immune system and the adaptive immune response.
4. Discuss the co-dependence of the innate and adaptive immune systems.
5. Describe and evaluate the design, operation and performance of the tests and assays used within clinical immunology.
6. Describe the partnership of clinical immunology to other clinical specialisms in the investigation and management of disorders of the immune system and patient care. 

Indicative content

• Organisation and components of the immune system
  • Cellular components (lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages)
  • Humoral components (antibodies/immunoglobulins, complement, cytokines)
  • Molecules of the immune system (major histocompatibility molecules class I and II, cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules/cell surface markers, receptor molecules, recognition molecules, adhesion molecules, effector molecules)
  • Antigen presentation
• Innate immune response (endothelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, complement)
• Adaptive immune response (antigen processing, dendritic cells, T cell responses, B cell responses, primary and secondary responses, vaccination/immunisation)
• Outcome of immune responses (immunity/immunological memory, inflammation, direct and indirect functions of antibodies, incidental tissue damage, hypersensitivity and allergy)

Activities

• Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings at which results from patients are reviewed; discuss the review process and outcomes with your training supervisor in order to understand the benefits of the clinical review process for patient investigation and management.
• Observe and discuss with your training supervisor the investigation of the patient HLA profile, correct sampling technique and the use and validity of reference ranges.
• Review the role of the immune response in common clinical disorders where transplantation is the therapy of choice and present your review to your colleagues at a departmental meeting.
• Regularly participate in discussions on the interpretation and reporting of laboratory results in the context of common clinical disorders where transplantation is the therapy of choice; critically reflect on your learning and set out your development actions in a plan as part of your continuing professional development plan.
• Use your experience to critically reflect on the partnership of H&I to other clinical specialisms in the investigation and management of patients requiring transplantation, identifying areas of good practice and areas where changes may result in stronger partnerships. Document how this learning will impact on your future role as a clinical scientist.