The Immune system: molecular and cellular characteristics and functions. Pathogens and host pathogens interactions. Innate and adaptive immunity. Cells of the immune system and their functions. B and T cell development. Antigen-antibody response; TCR and MHC receptors. Primary and secondary responses. Antibody production and use in research, diagnostics and clinics. Vaccines. Immunopathology: hypersensitivity reactions; autoimmune diseases; tumor immunotherapy; transplants.
All slides relative to the course will be available for the students. Moreover, the following textbooks will be recommended:
A.K. Abbas et al. “Cellular and Molecular immunology” ed Piccin; C.A. Janeway et al. “Immunobiology” ed. Piccin.
Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired: Introduction to innate and adaptive immunity. Cells of the Immune System: morphologic and phenotypic characterisation. B and T lymphocytes. Effectors of the Immune Response and relationships with the flogistic response. Introduction to hypersensitivity reactions. Immune system disorders. Primitive and acquired immunodeficiencies. Transplant and “graft versus host disease”. The manipulation of the immune system against infectious diseases. Vaccines.
Competence acquired
Microscopic identification of cells of the immune system; learning about the main diagnostic analysis; practical approaches of immunology-based protocols; emoagglutination tests and determination of the ABO blood group.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Students will acquire theoretical and practical concepts regarding the immune response and the mechanisms underlying an autoimmune disorder. Several experimental protocols will be performed during the course.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology
Courses required:
Courses recommended
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 8 for theoretical lessons, 16 for practical lessons
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities:
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours):
they will be clearly defined throughout the course.
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours):
they will be clearly defined throughout the course.
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours):
they will be clearly defined throughout the course.
Seminars (hours):
to be defined
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab recommended
Teaching tools
Slides, consumables for practical procedures
Office hours:
On request
Type of Assessment
5 questions regarding immunology. The practical experiences performed during the course will be evaluated.
Course program
Pathogens and host pathogens interactions. Innate and adaptive immunity. Cells of the immune system and their functions: B and T lymphocytes, NK cells, APC cells, dendritic cells. B and T cell development. Immunoglobulines. Generation of Diversity and VDJ recombination. Antigen-antibody response. Primary and secondary responses. Isotype switching and affinity maturation. TCR and MHC receptors. Antibody production and use in research, diagnostics and clinics. Vaccines. Immunopathology: hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases. Tumor immunotherapy. Transplants.