The ability of an organism to defend itself against infection by viruses, bacteria, and parasites is critical to organismal survival and fitness. The response of the host immune system is vital in this defense, and like any phenotype, we observe variation in immune function between individuals, populations, and species. The field of ecoimmunology seeks to characterize and explain how the environment of the organism contributes to this observed variability in the host immune response. In this class, we will examine the evolution and function of the primate immune system, primarily in non-human primates, within the context of the extensive social and ecological variability in the primate order. We will take a broad and integrative approach, synthesizing material from diverse fields including immunology, ecology, physiology, behavior, and genetics. Prerequisites: Anthropology 150A or Biology 112
Course Attributes: FA NSM; BU SCI; AR NSM; AS NSM
