教學目的在於讓同學明瞭人類免疫系統的組成、功能及作用機轉。學習過程中也會提及其他動植物的免疫系統，藉以瞭解免疫系統在生物中演化的過程。修習此課程後，同學們將瞭解:(1)免疫系統是生物體對抗微生物入侵的防禦系統，包含先天性及適應性的免疫防禦機制。藉由免疫系統，人類可抵抗細菌、病毒、黴菌及寄生蟲的侵犯，但微生物在生存的壓力下，也同時演化出對付免疫系統的機制，因而形成持續性感染。(2)免疫反應具有殺傷力，當反應不當時，可能造成組織損傷或失去功能，如慢性發炎、過敏、氣喘或自體免疫疾病。(3)由於免疫試劑的特異性高，可廣為應用於研究、純化、診斷、治療，為一項極有潛力的生物試劑。此課程為免疫學的入門課程，對象是首次接觸免疫學的學生，但需具備細胞學、生物化學及分子生物學的基本知識，方可對免疫系統有全盤的瞭解。

內容分為四大部分：(1)免疫系統概觀：包括免疫學的發展史及免疫系統所包括的細胞、器官及訊息傳導。(2)先天性免疫系統：包括模式辨認、補體系統、發炎反應。(3)適應性免疫系統：a.包括淋巴細胞受體基因之組成及重組、組織相容性抗原與抗原呈現之關係，b. T細胞及B細胞之發育及分化， c. T細胞及B細胞之活化、抗體之作用、免疫記憶、細胞性毒殺作用，(4)免疫與疾病：包括過敏反應、自體免疫反應、感染與免疫、疫苗、移植免疫、免疫缺陷及癌症。

The purpose of teaching is to let students understand the composition, function and mechanism of the human immune system. The immune systems of other animals and plants will also be mentioned during the learning process to understand the evolution process of immune systems in living things. After taking this course, students will understand: (1) The immune system is the defense system of organisms against microbial invasion, including innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms. Through the immune system, humans can resist the invasion of bacteria, viruses, molds and parasites. However, under the pressure of survival, microorganisms have also evolved mechanisms to deal with the immune system, thus forming persistent infections. (2) The immune response is lethal. When the reaction is inappropriate, it may cause tissue damage or loss of function, such as chronic inflammation, allergies, asthma or autoimmune diseases. (3) Due to the high specificity of the immune reagent, it can be widely used in research, purification, diagnosis, and treatment, and is a biological reagent with great potential. This course is an introductory course in immunology, targeting students who are exposed to immunology for the first time. However, basic knowledge of cytology, biochemistry and molecular biology is required to have a comprehensive understanding of the immune system.

The content is divided into four parts: (1) Overview of the immune system: including the development history of immunology and the cells, organs and message transmission included in the immune system. (2) Innate immune system: including pattern recognition, complement system, and inflammatory response. (3) Adaptive immune system: a. Including the composition and recombination of lymphocyte receptor genes, the relationship between histocompatibility antigens and antigen presentation, b. The development and differentiation of T cells and B cells, c. The activation of T cells and B cells, the role of antibodies, immune memory, and cellular toxicity. (4) Immunity and disease: including allergic reactions, autoimmune reactions, infection and immunity, vaccines, transplant immunity, immunodeficiency, and cancer.

1. Owen, Punt, and Stranford. Kuby Immunology, 7th ed. by W.H. Freeman and Company. 2013.

1. Owen, Punt, and Stranford. Kuby Immunology, 7th ed. by W.H. Freeman and Company. 2013.