Immunology

Code:

MV224

Acronym:

IM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Basic Sciences

Instance: 2010/2011 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Imuno-Physiology and Pharmacology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Masters Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMV	132	Plan 2007 to 2017	2	-	5	64	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

1. Acquisition of knowledge and skills on fundamental immunology, emphasizing the particular specificities of different domestic animals.
2. Acquisition of skills helpful for a better understanding of basic and advanced bibliographic information in the area of immunology.
3. Acquisition and development of rational mechanisms useful for the interpretation of immunological data and resolution of immunological problems.
4. Acquisition of skills for self-oriented study, including the correct usage of specific databases.
5. Improvement of communication skills regarding oral and written transmission of knowledge.
6. Acquisition of skills and knowledge on specific immunological diagnostic techniques.
7. Improvement of laboratory skills.

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. Complement
1.3. 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 phenotypic 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 receptor (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. Lymphocyte recirculation, cell-adhesion molecules and inflammation.
4.2. Citokynes. Differentiation and function of T-cells. Role of dendritic cells.
4.3. Immune response during infection.
4.4. Immunity in body surfaces
4.5. Vaccines.

5. The immune system in physiological and pathologycal conditions.
5.1. Hypersensitivity reactions.
5.2. Blood groups in domestic animals.
5.3. Tolerance and autoimmunity.
5.4. Transplantation.
5.5. Immunodeficiencies.

6. Evolution of the immune system.

Laboratory and practical classes
1. Isolation of murine spleen 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.

7. Presentation of scientific papers*

*several classes during the semester

Mandatory literature

Tizard, Ian; Veterinary Immunology. An Introduction , Saunders, 2008. ISBN: 978-1416049890

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes (including a few lectures by invited immunologists on particular subjects), Laboratory classes, presentation of scientific papers by the students.

keywords

Health sciences > Medical sciences > Veterinary medicine > Animal immunology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	68,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Participation in a minimum of 2/3 of the laboratory classes

Calculation formula of final grade

Sum of:
Mark on theoretical tests or exam (up to 16)
mark obtained on scientific papers presentations (up to 2,5)
Active participation on classes along the yeart (up to 1,5).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Oral paper presentations.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to general law, and specific rules approved by ICBAS

Classification improvement

According to general law, and specific rules approved by ICBAS

Observations

Lecturing will not be based or folow a given textbook. The recomended bibliography should thus be considered as complementary material to that presented in the course classess