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IMM250H1 (Immunity and Infection) Syllabus
Science and Society Paper Assignmemnt
Guidelines
Topic - Immune Cells as Villains: Misdirected Immune Attack During Autoimmune Diseases
Cells of our immune system often serve as “heroes,” playing protective roles in our bodies against
various pathogens and diseases. However, failure of tolerance to self-antigens elicits “villainous”
immune activity by an individual’s T cells and antibodies, resulting in destructive tissue damage and
disease. These misdirected immune attacks are called autoimmunity, and the diseases they cause are
called autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases, like allergic reactions, are more common in countries with more prosperous
economies. The incidence of autoimmune diseases in these countries has steadily increased over the
last 80 years and is largely explained by the impact of lifestyle and a hyper-sanitized environment on
the immune system. Researchers are trying to elucidate what makes some people more susceptible to
autoimmunity. Genes that control self-tolerance mechanisms play an important part, but a trigger is
necessary to prompt the autoimmune process. The main culprits are viral infections, and data from the
current Covid pandemic have reinforced this idea. However, changes in microbiome composition are
also starting to emerge as possible contributors to autoimmune susceptibility. Autoimmune diseases
are generally more common in women than in men but the reasons for this observation are unclear.
Various immune effectors, mainly autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells cause tissue injury in different
autoimmune diseases. The clinical manifestation of the disease depends on whether the site of the
autoimmune attack is localized to a particular organ/tissue or is more systemic. Autoimmunity tends to
be discovered after years of the initial immune attack when the tissue damage has escalated to cause
a disease that becomes chronic and self-perpetuating since the target of immune attack are self-
antigens that cannot be eliminated.
Format: 5-6 pages long (max 1800 words); double-spaced; 1-inch margins; 12 pt Times. Your paper
can refer to any assigned course content (required/recommended readings (e.g. papers, textbook),
references provided on slides) or additional references that you find on your own. Please do not
reference lecture slides.
Assignment Content
The assignment can be approached in several ways, including (but not limited to):
1. Focus on the mechanisms governing tolerance to self: elimination of autoreactive clones during
lymphocyte development; induction of ‘anergy’; function of regulatory T cells (Tregs);
engagement of inhibitory molecules such as CTLA-4. Gene variants that abrogate or impair the
function of these regulatory processes should be at least mentioned.
2. Focus on genetic susceptibility to autoimmune disease. This focus can be seen as a
variation/extension of point 1 and should focus on susceptibility genes that have been identified
in family studies and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including HLA and non-HLA
genes.
3. Focus on environmental factors which are thought to act as triggers of autoimmune attack in
susceptible people. These should include the role of viral infections (of which a focus of its own
could be ‘long Covid’ and autoimmunity); sex hormones; microbiome imbalance
IMM250H1 (Immunity and Infection) Syllabus – Winter 2022
4. Focus on a particular disease, e.g., multiple sclerosis or type I diabetes. In this focus, your
paper should provide context by including an introduction where points 1-3 are summarized in
half to one page.
5. A ‘holistic approach’ where points 1-3 are all explored in some depth, as per word limits.
6. Focus on the treatment of autoimmune disease. In this focus, your paper should provide context
by including an introduction where points 1-3 are summarized in half to one page. It can include:
A. conventional immunosuppressive therapy; B. monoclonal antibodies targeting specific self-
antigens, blocking inflammatory cytokines, blocking immune cell trafficking, blocking co-
stimulatory pathways; C. therapies to restore tolerance; D. more experimental therapies
including the creation of personalized Tregs.
— Your paper will be assessed using the criteria indicated in the rubric on the next page —
IMM250H1 (Immunity and Infection) Syllabus – Winter 2022
Description Achievement Level
Excellent
(100%)
Good
(85%)
Average
(70%)
Low
(40%)
Scientific Content (50%)
Introduction & Description of Topic Background
Can include (see guidelines above):
1. An overview of mechanisms governing self-tolerance;
2. Genetic susceptibility to autoimmune diseases (one or
many);
3. Environmental factors influencing susceptibility to
autoimmune diseases;
4. Describe a particular autoimmune disease
5. Provide a description of the holistic approach you will be
using for this paper;
6. Current treatments for autoimmune disease(s).
The introduction is a good place to cover the immunological
aspects of autoimmunity if your paper is more heavily focused
more on other issues.
Challenges
Identification, discussion and analysis of difficulties associated
with the chosen topic. Ideally takes a multidisciplinary
perspective, including (but not limited to) consideration of:
issues with respect to disproportionate diagnosis of
autoimmune diseases in prosperous countries; societal
hygiene behaviours contributing to disproportionate diagnosis,
the need for/access todrug treatments, issues with self-
tolerance mechanisms.
Hopes
A consideration of the outlook and future prospects for
understanding emerging autoimmune diseases and
combating them, current research directions.
Scientific topic is clearly
stated, provocative,
concise and appropriately
focused. Information is
very organized, and main
points connect well to each
other and the topic. The
argument is built carefully.
Scientific topic is clearly
stated but focus could have
been sharper. Information is
organized, and main points
connect with one another
and the topic most of the
time. The argument builds
with clarity.
Scientific topic is stated
but not appropriately
focused. Information is
organized, but main
points do not always lead
into each other, relate to
the topic or help to build
the argument.
Scientific topic is not
stated or appropriately
focused. The information
appears to be
disorganized and some
points do not connect
well together, nor with the
topic.
Note: The descriptions indicated for scientific content are a guide; the emphasis of your paper is completely up to
you.
IMM250H1 (Immunity and Infection) Syllabus – Winter 2022
Description Achievement Level
Excellent
(100%)
Good
(85%)
Average
(70%)
Low
(40%)
Tone and Style (20%)
A narrative style is established (e.g. general information essay,
testimonial report, case study, questions and answers, timeline
approach). The writing should consider both science and non-
science readership with respect to language and terminology
used, clarity of ideas presented and reader engagement.
Conclusion
Conclusion ‘pulls together’ main ideas and unresolved issues.
Product is highly focused
with interesting elements in
the writing and design,
which perpetuate reader to
continue. Reader is
involved. The paper has a
clarity that leaves no
questions in the reader's
mind. Conclusion stylishly
and subtly culminates by
further developing main
idea; effective specificity;
leaves a positive
impression on the reader.
Possesses a quality that
keeps the reader reading—
has focus, interest, design
elements that move the
reader forward. Paper has a
clarity that leaves few
surface questions in the
reader's mind. Conclusion
returns to main ideas and
summarizes these points
clearly; some specificity;
solid sense of finality.
Lacks the ability to keep
the reader reading;
design and focus are
uninteresting and/or
confusing. Reader is
disengaged. Paper leaves
several surface questions
in the reader's mind.
Effective conclusion;
summarizes previously
stated materials; at least
briefly returns to main
ideas.
Lacks ability to hold
reader interest; fails to
present the content in an
interesting or captivating
way. Reader does not
wish to continue reading.
Writer seems
uninterested in the work.
Paper is unclear because
of significant and
unintentional gaps or
contradictions in logic,
point of view, etc. Fails to
conclude; repeats
previously stated
information; adds nothing
new in many words.
Originality/Creativity (10%)
Regardless of the other merits of the work, there may be
positive qualities that are notable, such as:
The title (it should not use “Science and Society Assignment
(or Paper)” or the title used to describe the assignment, “
Immune Cells as Villains: Misdirected Immune Attack During
Autoimmune Diseases ”; a creative approach to the topic and
“story” is taken.
Captures reader's attention
with title, first interesting
sentence, paragraph, or
line; reader cannot help but
continue reading.
Impresses the reader from
beginning to end through
original and interesting use
of ideas, language,
dialogue, imagery, insight,
etc.
Captures reader's attention
with title, first sentence,
paragraph, or line, and
draws reader into the rest of
paper. Interests the reader
most of the way with some
original and interesting use
of ideas, language, imagery,
etc.
Title, first sentence,
paragraph, or line lacks
the ability to draw the
reader into the paper;
reader may not keep
reading. Offers little
originality in ideas,
language, imagery, etc.
Reader may lose interest.
Overall, lacks interest for
the reader but also
contains a cliché title.
Ideas/imagery lack
originality or are absent.
Language is not
engaging. Reader sees
the paper as “spinning its
wheels” – not developing
anything as it goes.
Use of Sources and Accuracy of Information (20%)
The author may present opinions or may remain neutral with
respect to the topic, but the following is expected:
An appropriate number of sources have been consulted and
referenced (four references minimum).
An appropriate number of
both academic and non-
academic sources are
included, and are smoothly
An appropriate number of
both academic and non-
academic sources are
included, and are connected
to major ideas. Scientific
An appropriate number of
sources are included,
although not all are
connected to major ideas.
Some imbalance in the
Not enough sources are
consulted. Imbalance in
the types of sources
being used (only
IMM250H1 (Immunity and Infection) Syllabus – Winter 2022
Description Achievement Level
Excellent
(100%)
Good
(85%)
Average
(70%)
Low
(40%)
There is a balance between academic sources (reviews or
primary research papers) and non-academic sources.
Relevant material from sources has been selected and
incorporated to support the story in the author’s own words.
Moderate use of quotes (maximum three short sentences) is
allowed but information is primarily summarized in the author’s
own words.
Accuracy of presented information is expected.
incorporated to clearly
support major ideas.
Scientifically accurate and
topic is covered in detail.
content is thorough and
explains the topic well.
types of sources being
used (mostly academic or
mostly non-academic).
Scientific details are
minimal and/or inaccurate
and topic is only covered
broadly.
academic or only non-
academic), and sources
are not in line with major
ideas presented.
Scientific information is
incorrect, minimal and
extremely broad.
