Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

The immune system consists of an overwhelming network of cells, tissues, and organs that function to protect the body from diseases caused by pathogenic invaders and maintain its good health. Knowledge regarding mechanisms of how the immune system acts may be of utmost importance in planning effective strategies in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

In this week, we discussed the major components of the immune system, response to infection, and updates on vaccines and immunotherapy. The session will focus on the discussion of the immune cells that detect and act on the pathogens including the dendritic cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages. Innate immune response is an immediate response to infection. On the contrary, adaptive immune response is a specific response coupled with immunological memory against specific pathogens.

It is dynamic and complex as an immune response to infectious agents. In this lecture, we will discuss the mechanisms of immune recognition and pathogen elimination, including the activation of immune cells, production of antibodies and cytokine release. Students will discuss several notable case studies of infection, namely HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, examining the immunological response to such diseases and on which of these determinates infection outcomes depend.

Prevention of infectious diseases can be ensured with the help of vaccination, which acts by stimulating the immune system, and this session will discuss the principles related to vaccination, types of vaccines, including live attenuated, inactivated, subunit, mRNA vaccines, mechanisms of action, and developments into advanced immunotherapy techniques, including monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy, that make use of the immune response against malignant cells or infectious agents for their destruction.

Where the immune system may be a defensive machinery of a high order, it can also be challenged by immune evasion by pathogens and immune-related diseases. In this session, we shall discuss the factors that lead to a failure of the immune response, including immunosuppression, autoimmune diseases, and effects of aging.

The participants will discuss in detail the importance of further research into these issues so that interventions can be developed effectively. The final session will be devoted to the future of immunology, from shifts in the direction of handling infectious diseases.

The participant will scrutinize new trends in vaccine development, personalized immunotherapy, and open avenues for novel approaches to enhance immune responses.

Basic researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals will participate in understanding the role of the immune system in combating infectious diseases.