Interactive learning laboratory
AKU4502 Fish Immunology Games
Three interactive simulations designed to help students apply selected fish immunology concepts in biologically meaningful missions. Each game has its own focused learning outcomes and complements the broader AKU4502 course syllabus.
NCC Immunological Response
Cellular immune surveillance and cytotoxic target selection
Act as a teleost non-specific cytotoxic cell (NCC), inspect surrounding cells and eliminate abnormal targets. The simulation uses reduced or absent MHC-I as a simplified missing-self cue to connect immune surveillance with cytotoxic effector activity.
Scientific note: the MHC-I cue is a simplified model for teaching. NCC recognition mechanisms can differ among teleost species.
Game learning outcomes
After completing this game, students should be able to:
- LO1Explain the role of NCCs as innate cytotoxic effector cells in fish.
- LO2Use altered-self or missing-self cues to distinguish potential target cells from healthy cells.
- LO3Relate cellular recognition, target selection and killing to immune surveillance.
- LO4Apply rapid decision-making while balancing accuracy, score and difficulty.
B-Cell Activation Simulation
Antigen recognition, receptor docking and humoral immunity
Progress through three levels by identifying and docking the correct immune components needed to activate a fish B cell. The mission links antigen recognition at the cell surface to activation and the subsequent antibody-mediated response.
Complete all three levels to experience the full progression from recognition to activation.
Game learning outcomes
After completing this game, students should be able to:
- LO1Identify the function of the B-cell receptor in antigen-specific recognition.
- LO2Select and dock appropriate receptor or signalling components in a logical sequence.
- LO3Explain how receptor engagement initiates B-cell activation and humoral immunity.
- LO4Apply fish immunology concepts to complete progressively more complex activation scenarios.
Complement Commander
Classical, lectin and alternative complement pathways
Command the complement cascade by selecting the correct initiators and components for the classical, lectin or alternative pathway. Follow protein cleavage, construct the convertases and complete the terminal pathway to form the membrane attack complex (MAC).
Begin in Normal mode to learn the pathway, then use Hard mode to test recall without visible hotkeys.
Game learning outcomes
After completing this game, students should be able to:
- LO1Compare the initiators and early steps of the classical, lectin and alternative pathways.
- LO2Sequence complement cleavage events and distinguish surface-bound fragments from anaphylatoxins.
- LO3Construct the correct C3 and C5 convertases for each pathway.
- LO4Explain how the pathways converge on C3, C5 and C9 polymerisation to form the MAC.