Host-Pathogen Interaction Immunology Course | Prof. Himanshu Kumar | IISER Bhopal
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 661 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Biosciences |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unraveling the Battle Within: A Deep Dive into Host-Pathogen Interaction
The constant, invisible war between our bodies and invading pathogens is one of the most complex and fascinating narratives in biology. Understanding this intricate dance—the Host-Pathogen Interaction—is crucial for developing new vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic tools. For postgraduate students and professionals in biological sciences, biotechnology, and medical fields, a structured, expert-led exploration of this topic is invaluable.
We are proud to present a detailed 12-week postgraduate course on Host-Pathogen Interaction in Immunology, meticulously designed and instructed by a leading expert in the field.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Himanshu Kumar
This course is led by Prof. Himanshu Kumar, who heads the Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal. Prof. Kumar is a distinguished scientist with a stellar academic journey:
- Ph.D. from Osaka University, Japan, where he was awarded as an Excellent Ph.D. Student.
- Recipient of the prestigious JSPS Post-doctoral fellowship.
- His research focuses on the transcriptional and translational regulation of antiviral innate immune responses during infections like Flu and Dengue.
- He holds the position of Guest Professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, a world-top immunology institution.
- He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the "International Reviews of Immunology" journal.
- A distinguished member of the National Academy of Science, India (NASI).
Prof. Kumar brings over a decade of independent research and teaching experience directly to this course, ensuring learning is grounded in cutting-edge science.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This comprehensive course is structured to take you from the foundational principles of immunology to the advanced mechanisms of specific infectious diseases. Over 12 weeks, you will build a robust understanding of how the host immune system recognizes, responds to, and remembers pathogens, and how pathogens evolve sophisticated strategies to evade these defenses.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Foundations: History of Immunology, Immune Organs (Thymus, Bone Marrow, Spleen, Lymph Nodes), and Cells of the Immune System (Hematopoiesis). |
| Week 3-4 | Tools & Signals: Use of transgenic animal models, Cytokines, Inflammatory mediators, and their therapeutic applications. |
| Week 5-7 | Innate Immunity Deep Dive: Physical barriers, Pattern Recognition Receptors (TLRs, RLRs, NLRs, DNA sensors), and the Complement system. |
| Week 8 | Adaptive Immunity Introduction: Antigens, B Cells/Antibodies, and T Cell-mediated responses. |
| Week 9-10 | Viral Immunology: Innate & adaptive immune responses to viruses, evasion strategies, with focused sessions on Influenza and Arboviruses (e.g., Dengue). |
| Week 11 | Bacterial Immunology: Immune responses to extracellular and intracellular bacteria, bacterial evasion mechanisms, and a detailed study of Tuberculosis. |
| Week 12 | Parasitic & Fungal Infections: Immunology of Malaria, African Sleeping Sickness, and other parasitic/fungal diseases. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is perfectly suited for:
- Postgraduate students (M.Sc., M.Tech., Ph.D.) in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.
- Students from Medical Sciences seeking a deeper understanding of immunopathology.
- Research scholars and scientists looking to solidify their knowledge in infectious disease immunology.
- Professionals in the Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Vaccine, and Medical Diagnostics industries.
Prerequisites & Industry Support
Prerequisites: A Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with basic knowledge of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Animal Physiology, and Cell & Molecular Biology is required to fully grasp the advanced concepts.
Industry Support: The knowledge gained from this course has direct applications in Biotechnology, Pharma, Vaccine Development, and Medical Diagnostics, making it highly relevant for career advancement in these sectors.
Key Learning Resources
The course curriculum is supported by renowned textbooks and current literature:
- Essential Immunology by Delves, Martin, Burton, & Roitt
- Immunobiology by Janeway, Travers, et al.
- Kuby Immunology
- Infectious Disease: Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Case Studies by Shetty, Tang, & Andrews
- Discussion of latest review and research articles from the field.
Embark on this 12-week intellectual journey to master the dynamic field of host-pathogen interaction. Under the guidance of Prof. Himanshu Kumar, you will gain not just textbook knowledge, but insights from the forefront of immunological research, preparing you for a successful career in science and medicine.
To learn more about Prof. Kumar’s work, visit his laboratory website: https://home.iiserb.ac.in/~hkumar/index.html
Enroll Now →