Doctor of Philosophy in Fundamental Immunology - Adaptive Immunity

The Department of Immunology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in a wide range of immunological disciplines. These disciplines include molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte development and selection, T-cell and B-cell receptors, cell interactions, growth factor receptors, cytokine networks, antigen processing and presentation, signal transduction in lymphocytes, V(D)J recombination, anergy, apoptosis, transgenic and knock-out models, immuno-targe​ting and vaccine design, autoimmunity, AIDS, diabetes, and transplantation.​The department provides a common forum for investigators in many areas of U of T and an interdisciplinary research experience in immunology. Members and students in the department are located at the Medical Sciences Building, at the Ontario Cancer Institute, and at the Research Institutes of Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Sunnybrook Hospital.​ The PhD degree is an advanced research degree intended to reflect a level of training consistent with the ability of the candidate to function as an independent research scientist. This involves successful completion of course work reflecting a knowledge of modern immunology, as well as a demonstrated ability to carry out research of publishable quality.The immune system has the daunting task of dealing with an amazing array of pathogens in our environment. Upon exposure to a pathogen, the innate arm of the immune system is engaged non-specifically. This is an important initial step in clearing the pathogen, however, adaptive immunity is required to generate a highly specific and efficient means of clearing the pathogen. The adaptive immune system is comprised of B and T lymphocytes that express receptors with remarkable diversity tailored to recognize aspects of particular pathogens, or “antigens”. B and T lymphocytes circulate in the blood and lymph and home to specialized lymphoid organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes. In these locations, inexperienced or “naïve” lymphocytes scan for the presence of antigens. During an infection, dendritic cells which act as sentinels in the peripheral tissues pick up pathogens in the form of antigenic determinants. These antigens are then presented to T lymphocytes within the lymphoid tissues. T lymphocytes of the appropriate specificity respond robustly to the antigen, and either kill the pathogen directly or secrete cytokine mediators that will encourage a B lympohocyte response. B lymphocytes provide humoral immunity by secreting antibodies specific for the pathogen. In the case of both B and T cells, as the immune response contracts, a small number of antigen-specific cells survive so that if re-exposure to the pathogen occurs, a more robust and rapid immune response can take place. This is termed immunological memory and it is what is conferred upon vaccination.

Applicants must have completed (or be in the final year of completing) an appropriate 4 year bachelor\u2019s degree, or its equivalent from a recognized university, with an average of at least a B+ (minimum GPA of 3.3) in their final two years. Applicants holding a BSc degree with an average of A- in the final two years of undergraduate study are encouraged to apply for direct entry into the PhD program.Applicants to the PhD holding an MSc degree must have an average of at least B+ in that degree. Minimum Requirements plus: MSc in Applied Immunology (Advanced Standing Entry)basic understanding of immunology and immunological conceptscompletion of the equivalent of the University of Toronto undergraduate courses IMM450Y1 and 2 of the following: IMM428H1, IMM429H1, IMM430H1, IMM431H1, or MIJ485H1 must already have a research supervisor who is a Faculty Member in the Department of ImmunologyMinimum Requirements plus: MSc in Applied Immunology (Standard Entry)basic understanding of immunology and immunological conceptssome research experience (i.e. via summer project or lab courses)Curriculum VitaeLetter of Intent Three letters of referenceUnofficial transcripts issued by your university are acceptableGRE scores are NOT required