# Fundamentals of General Immunology

- Institution: IIT Guwahati
- Department: Biotechnology
- Teacher: Prof. Sachin Kumar
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology
- Source: [NPTEL](https://nptel.ac.in/courses/102103001)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-SA](https://nptel.ac.in/faq) (Non-commercial use only.)
- Syllabus: [at the source](https://nptel.ac.in/courses/102103001)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Immunology is the study of how the body defends itself against infections, cancer, and immune- related disorders. It explores the roles of immune cells, antibodies, and signaling molecules in detecting, responding to, and remembering harmful threats—while maintaining balance to avoid self-damage. This course offers a comprehensive overview of immune system function, from basic concepts to clinical relevance. Participants will learn about innate and adaptive immunity, antigen recognition, cytokine signaling, immune tolerance, hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmunity, vaccines, and immunotherapies. Designed for students, clinicians, and researchers alike, the course follows a bottom-up approach—starting from molecular and cellular principles and advancing to disease mechanisms and applications. Key lab techniques such as ELISA and flow cytometry will also be introduced through examples and demonstrations. Whether your goal is academic, clinical, or research-oriented, this course builds a strong foundation in immunology and its real-world applications.

Intended audience: UG, PG & PhD students from Biosciences, Bioengineering, Biomedical engineering, Agricultural biotechnology, Fisheries and other life sciences disciplines.

Prerequisites: Basic 10+2 biology

## Lectures

1. [L1: Evolutionary logic and functional architecture of the immune system](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/8eb43b27f936) (YouTube)
2. [L2: Immune surveillance across tissues and barrier sites](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/3fcd09a35557) (YouTube)
3. [L3: Coordination Between Cellular, Molecular, and Tissue-Level Immunity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/43ae93eaa613) (YouTube)
4. [L4: Coordination Between Cellular, Molecular, and Tissue-Level Immunity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/a8eb8b5ed75f) (YouTube)
5. [Tutorial 1- Interesting Facts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/f70d4307f77a) (YouTube)
6. [L5: Self, Non-Self, and Danger Recognition Models](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/b26739cd3691) (YouTube)
7. [L6: Molecular Sensors of Infection and Cellular Stress](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/19f6d53d6239) (YouTube)
8. [L7: Molecular Sensors of Infection and Cellular Stress](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/7ff81ed9c08a) (YouTube)
9. [L8: Epitope Architecture and Determinants of Immunogenicity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/58fa1dcc8da1) (YouTube)
10. [Tutorial 2- Interesting Facts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/367bc5a41c36) (YouTube)
11. [L9: Epitope Architecture and Determinants of Immunogenicity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/5eea69e797a8) (YouTube)
12. [L10: Generation of Immune Receptor Diversity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/b0a778054248) (YouTube)
13. [L11: Intracellular Antigen Routing and Processing Pathways](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/e48e3e6e7cc0) (YouTube)
14. [L12: Intracellular Antigen Routing and Processing Pathways](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/d017a7b3ea2d) (YouTube)
15. [Tutorial 3- Interesting Facts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/f5311a65aeac) (YouTube)
16. [L13: Intracellular Antigen Routing and Processing Pathways](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/73c840b43afb) (YouTube)
17. [L14: MHC Molecules as Platforms for Immune Communication](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/35b47b02b5f2) (YouTube)
18. [L15: Lineage Commitment and Functional Plasticity of Immune Cells](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/1304f2e89700) (YouTube)
19. [L16: Lineage Commitment and Functional Plasticity of Immune Cells](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/a879c479a2cb) (YouTube)
20. [Tutorial 4- Interesting Facts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/2ce7b6ae2316) (YouTube)
21. [L17: Selection, Editing, and Developmental Tolerance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/308ff969f321) (YouTube)
22. [L18: Selection, Editing, and Developmental Tolerance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/c7ba4bd1b2ba) (YouTube)
23. [L19: Receptor Signaling Cascades in B and T Lymphocytes](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/766205a0bbad) (YouTube)
24. [L20: Receptor Signaling Cascades in B and T Lymphocytes](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/f60d60587523) (YouTube)
25. [Tutorial 5- Interesting Facts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/99ba53d17da7) (YouTube)
26. [L21: Costimulation, Signal Integration, and Activation Control](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/dc8f598abbfd) (YouTube)
27. [L22: Costimulation, Signal Integration, and Activation Control](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/548959d560eb) (YouTube)
28. [L23: Transcriptional Control of Immune Effector Functions](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/cab5798558a6) (YouTube)
29. [L24: Transcriptional Control of Immune Effector Functions](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/852e1ddbd610) (YouTube)
30. [Tutorial 6- Interesting Facts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/b56dc29f4df5) (YouTube)
31. [L25: Organization and Function of the Mucosal Immune System](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/dfb33303c25f) (YouTube)
32. [L26: Organization and Function of the Mucosal Immune System](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/d71e542a315e) (YouTube)
33. [L27: Organization and Function of the Mucosal Immune System](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/e93f8c325f58) (YouTube)
34. [L28: Mucosal Tolerance, IgA Responses, and Clinical Relevance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/d4dd73aabfa7) (YouTube)
35. [L29: Mucosal Tolerance, IgA Responses, and Clinical Relevance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/00b153713062) (YouTube)
36. [L30: Mucosal vaccine](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/b424afcc47eb) (YouTube)
37. [L31: Polarization of Cellular Immune Responses](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/b7c99b2185af) (YouTube)
38. [L32: Coordination of Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/ee0aec6dc0f5) (YouTube)
39. [L33: Mechanisms of Immune Suppression and Resolution](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/06f95a9ae773) (YouTube)
40. [L34: Mechanisms of Immune Suppression and Resolution](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/2ec5f4852918) (YouTube)
41. [L35: Regulatory Networks Maintaining Immune Homeostasis](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/fc1fc162a55e) (YouTube)
42. [L36: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Immune Memory](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/b840bb08d1dc) (YouTube)
43. [L37: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Immune Memory](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/29f23efa18db) (YouTube)
44. [L38: Aberrant Immune Activation and Inflammatory Pathologies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/25c7d035f8a9) (YouTube)
45. [L39: Aberrant Immune Activation and Inflammatory Pathologies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/425449c1e6a1) (YouTube)
46. [L40: Hypersensitivity as Maladaptive Immune Responses](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/aee4ba44bbc6) (YouTube)
47. [L41: Hypersensitivity as Maladaptive Immune Responses](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/9f0aeead2263) (YouTube)
48. [L42: Immune Basis of Autoimmune Disorders](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/1eb429b492a2) (YouTube)
49. [L43: Immune Basis of Autoimmune Disorders](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/accfd687eac8) (YouTube)
50. [L44: Immune-Mediated Tissue Injury and Repair](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/1b0caa45fe6b) (YouTube)
51. [L45: Antigen- Specific Immune Monitoring](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/6b51597054d9) (YouTube)
52. [L46: ELISA, ELISPOT, and Tetramer Staining for T-cell detection](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/dca26a745f17) (YouTube)
53. [L47: Immunomodulation in Transplantation Biology](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/d531ee98a0ec) (YouTube)
54. [L48: Immunomodulation in Transplantation Biology](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/f08a4df6870e) (YouTube)
55. [L49: Tumor–Immune System Interactions](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/fbdc7c02c426) (YouTube)
56. [L50: Principles of Cancer Immunotherapy](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/e5f9a93240c4) (YouTube)
57. [L51: Vaccines as Immune Engineering Tools, Adjuvants, Delivery Platforms, and Immune Profiling](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/faafb200a205) (YouTube)
58. [L52: mRNA Vaccines and Therapeutics/Precision and Personalized Immunology](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/1d2a99dd73a7) (YouTube)
59. [L53: Systems Immunology and Immune Monitoring Techniques](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/896e1b51ab66) (YouTube)
60. [54: Ethical Aspects of Immunotherapy/Future Directions](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/102103001/8ec93ce984d7) (YouTube)