Ruth Franklin (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology)
First-Year Seminar 53D | 4 Credits (Fall 2024) | CANVAS SITE
Wednesday, 03:00 PM–05:45 PM
Cancer touches countless lives. The search for a cure has driven the development of innovative therapeutic approaches focused on a once unconventional target: the immune system. In this seminar, we will dive into the exciting world of cancer research and discover how our own immune cells can be harnessed to fight this formidable disease. Through collaborative discussions, presentations, and the examination of popular science writing and research articles, students will explore the fundamental principles of cancer biology, the immune system, and tumor immunotherapy. We will consider questions such as: Why do tumors grow? How does the immune system see tumor cells? How can we manipulate immune cells to eradicate growing tumors? This course also features a field trip to a tumor immunology lab at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, providing a firsthand encounter with groundbreaking science. To conclude the semester, students will craft group presentations to illuminate a cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy tailored for a lay audience. Empowered with a solid foundation in the basics of cancer immunology and the ability to think critically about scientific information, students will leave this seminar equipped to join the ongoing conversation about cancer and its treatment.
Note: Students will have the opportunity to go on a field trip to a tumor immunology lab at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, providing a firsthand encounter with groundbreaking research.