Doctor of Philosophy in Fundamental Immunology - Autoimmunity

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.At the start of the twentieth century the concept of autoimmunity was first predicted by Nobel Laureate Paul Ehrlich, and he described it as 'horror autotoxicus'. His experiments led him to conclude that the immune system is normally focused on responding to foreign materials and has an inbuilt tendency to avoid attacking self tissues. But when this process goes wrong, the immune system can attack self tissues resulting in autoimmune disease. The perplexing issue of what allows the immune system to attack self tissues is a continuing focus of research. Almost all autoimmune disease are considered complex traits, in which genetic susceptibility interacts with some trigger that sets the process in motion. Central to this concept is improved understanding of self-tolerance under physiological conditions and the breakdown of this tolerance in autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases have historically been studied on the basis of the organ affected, but in recent years the focus has switched to a more cross-disciplinary approach with a view to providing a better understanding of the common mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Applicants must have completed (or be in the final year of completing) an appropriate 4 year bachelor’s 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