HOW TO PROCEED WITH CSIR-NET IMMUNOLOGY SECTION IN BRIEF

How to proceed with CSIR-NET Immunology Section in Brief

Dr. Jatin Mehta 

(National Institute of Immunology, Delhi)

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In the present report, we are presenting trend analysis of the Immunology Section. As are aware, Immunology in itself is a challenging subject and often demands graspand clarity over basic concepts. Though it is presented as a part of Cellular Communication section in the syllabus, but often recommended to prepare as an independent knowledge domain. Generally 3-5 questions are asked each year from this portion.

Since it is a vast subject, hence one should judiciously know how to manage time among important topics from exam point of view. Presented here the detailed trend analysis based on the past year question papers. Remember this analysis is suggestive only and designed to galvanize you for maximum reward.

Topics	Jun-11	Dec-11	Jun-12	Dec-12	Jun-13	Dec-13	Jun-14	Dec-14	Jun-15	Dec-15	Jun-16	Dec-16	Jun-17	Dec-17
Immune System and its components,  Immunity types, Immune Response			1							1
Antigens, Haptens and Epitopes.		1	1
Antibodies: Structure & functions,Isotype,  Allotype, Idiotype, Immune response					1	1	1		1	1		2
T and B cell maturation  and proliferation and activation.	1		1	1				1	1	1	1
Microbial Infection,Toll like receptors (TLR) & Complement System	1		1	1			1					1	1	1
Cytokines	2	1			3	1	1		1				1
Ag-Ab interaction,  ImmunoMethods  (ELISA, RIA, FACS, MAB,  Antibody Generation, Antibody Therapy	2		1	1	1			4	1	1	1	1		1
Vaccines – Important, types of immunization,  live and killed vaccines, toxoids etc.  conjugate vaccine, DNA vaccine  and RDT vaccines are more imp.		1	1	1		1	2	1				1
MHC and its role in Graft rejection,  Transplantation & its Types	1	1									1		1	1
Immunodeficiency and  Hypersensitivity  Reactions					1	1	1

  TOPIC WISE ANALYSIS OF IMMUNOLOGY SECTION             

SNo	TOPICS	ANALYSIS
1	Cells and Organs of Immune System	Just study basics, as no questions asked.
2	Types of immunity- innate and adaptive and its components	This area lays the foundation of immunology, some basic questions could be asked in part-B.Toll like receptorsis important and the connection between innate and adaptive immunity.
3	Antigens	Basic terminology of different antigens. Terms like haptens and epitopes.
4	Antibodies: Structure, Function and Diversity	Study structure in detail, their types and functions, differentiate between terms like isotype, allotype, idiotype. - Some basic question could be asked in part-B. Just cover the basic reasons for Ab diversity, don’t lay much emphasis on detailed mechanisms as not very important.
5	Cytokines	It is very important, their families and functions, different cytokines involved in innate and adaptive immunity, cytokines in therapy is important – Questions consistently asked in Part-C.
6	Immunological Methods	Antigen – antibody interaction – important as questions asked, specially Part-C, some analysis required….areas important can be Elisa and its variants, RIA, flow cytometary, monoclonal and polyclonal Ab. – Generation of monoclonal Ab. Purification and uses, Ab therapy is imp.
7	Hypersensitivity Reactions Immunodeficiency, Auto-immunity and autoimmune diseases	Important, types of hypersensitivity reaction and their role in disease development e.g. asthma, hay fever etc. Study just the basics of immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, lay more emphasis on diseases.
8	Vaccines	Important, types of immunization, can leave designing of vaccines, lay emphasis on types of vaccines e.g. live and killed vaccines, toxoids etc. conjugate vaccine, DNA vaccine and RDT vaccines are more imp.
9.	Transplantation	Very important, questions asked, transplantation types, graft rejection, cells involved in graft rejection, immunosuppressive therapy and drugs used in it is important, clinical transplantation- questions asked on liver transplant.
10	T and B cell maturation and proliferation and activation.	Just cover basics of B and T cells proliferation upon activation. Read about specific CDs expressed on different types of B and T cells.
11	OTHER AREAS TO BE COVERED a)                 Complement System b)                 MHC c)                 Antigen processing and presentation – can lay little emphasis if time allows.