Basic Immunology

Code:

MT241

Acronym:

I_BASI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2006/2007 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Imuno-Physiology and Pharmacology
Course/CS Responsible:	Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MED	204	Plano oficial a partir de 2003	2	3		-

Objectives

1. Acquisition of knowledge on fundamental immunology, necessary for the understanding of the immune physiology and pathology in humans.
2. Acquisition of skills for a better understanding of basic and advanced bibliographic information in the area of immunology.
3. Acquisition of of skills for self-oriented study, including the correct usage of specific databases.
4. Improvement of communication skills regarding oral and written transmission of knowledge.
5. Improvement of laboratory skills.
6. Acquisition of skills and knowledge on specific immunological diagnostic techniques.

Program

1. Introduction to the immune system.
1.1. General introduction to the immune system. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
1.2. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Diffuse lymphoid tissue.

2. Cellular and mollecular components of the immune system and antigen recognition.
2.1. Hematopoietic development.
2.2. Functional and structural phenotipic characteristics of non-lymphoid immune cells.
2.3. Immunoglobulins. B-cell receptor (BCR).
2.4. Antigen-antibody reactions.
2.5. V(D)J recombination and generation of diversity in immunoglobulins and T-cell eceptor (TCR).
2.5. TCR, Structure and function.
2.6. MHC. Antigen presentation.

3. Ontogeny and dinamics of lymphoid populations.
3.1. Ontogeny and activation of B-cells.
3.2. Activation of T-cells and B-T-cell cooperation.
3.3. Maturation of T and NK cells.

4. Effector Mechanisms.
4.1. Citokynes. Differentiation and function of T-cells.
4.2. Complement.
4.3. Lymphocyte recirculation, cell-adhesion molecules and inflammation.
4.4. Immune response during infection.
4.5. Vaccines.

5. The immune system in physiological and pathologycal conditions.
5.1. Hypersensitivity reactions.
5.2. Blood groups.
5.3. Tolerance and autoimmunity.
5.4. Transplantation.
5.5. Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.

Laboratory classes
1. Isolation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
2. Assessment of a primary immune response.
3. B-cell response to a mitogen. Quantification of serum immunoglobilins by “Sandwich-ELISA”.
4. Thymus and Bone-marrow. Phenotyping of lymphoid precursors by flow cytometry.
5. Immunization.
6. Blood groups, ABO e Rh.
7. Presentation of scientific papers*

*several classes during the semester

Main Bibliography

Kuby. Immunology. 2006. 6th Edition. Freeman, Ed.

Complementary Bibliography

Abbas, A. Cellular and Mollecular Immunology. 2005. 5th Edition. Saunders, Ed.
Review articles in the field of basic and clinical immunology.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes
Laboratory classes
Presentation of scientific papers by the students

Software

Class presentations available in PDF format at this website

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

Attaining of a minimum of 2/3 of the laboratory classes is necessary.

Calculation formula of final grade

Mark on theoretical tests or exam (up to 18) plus mark obtained on paper presentation (up to 2).
Whenever applicable, favourable correction on the final mark taking into account the student performance in the course of the different classe.

Examinations or Special Assignments

According to the general law

Classification improvement

Continuous assessment.

Observations

The theoretical classes do not necessarily follow or include material contained on the indicated textbooks that were expected only to lend support and complement the subjects addressed on classes