Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Within Host Models
Meeting Times:
- Wednesday, July 17, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday July 18, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday July 19, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Classroom: Randall Rollins Building (RR 226)
Module Summary:
This module introduces infectious diseases, immunology and modeling on the level of the individual host. We provide an introduction to immunology and modeling of acute and chronic viral infections, bacterial infections and other pathogens of interest. We will discuss how models can be used to analyze pathogen-host interactions, and how to model intervention strategies, such as vaccines and drug treatments. This is an introductory and survey course. We start at the basics but cover a lot of material.
Prerequisites:
While prior immunological or modeling training is not required, prior knowledge in either area will be beneficial. Some familiarity with the R programming language is recommended.
Module Content:
- Simple compartmental deterministic models.
- Basic immunological concepts
- How to use mathematical models to study within-host infection dynamics.
- Using models to analyze interventions such as vaccines or drugs.
Instructors
Andreas Handel, PhD
Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia
Dr. Handel’s main research focus is influenza, with some other work on a variety of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, tuberculosis, and others. He uses mathematical models, computational simulations and statistical analysis to understand the dynamics of pathogens on different spatial and temporal scales. He works on both the within-host level (the immunology, virology, microbiology scale) and the population level (the epidemiology, ecology, evolution scale). He and his group aim to help design better intervention and control strategies against infectious diseases, both for individual patients and on the population level.
Paul Thomas, PhD
Faculty, Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Dr. Thomas’ work has been instrumental in generating a new understanding of T cell receptor specificity and defining key elements of innate and adaptive immune responses that determine clinical outcomes to viral infections. Dr. Thomas leads several complex institutional programs including human influenza surveillance efforts and virtual repository development, and currently serves as PI for the 7-year, 12 institution DIVINCI consortium.
Required Software:
R software
- DSAIRM R package: https://ahgroup.github.io/DSAIRM/
Recommended Reading:
- Simulation Modeling in Immunology (SMI) website, which contains material from previous iterations of this course: https://andreashandel.github.io/SMIcourse/
- “Simulation modeling for immunologists” a review/tutorial we wrote on the topic a few years ago: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-019-0235-3
