Immunology

Code:

MV224

Acronym:

IM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Basic Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S (of 17-02-2025 to 13-06-2025)

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	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	5	56	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 veterinary 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.

Learning outcomes and competences

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Histology
Microbiology
Cellular Biology

Program

1. Introduction to the immune system.
1.1. Introduction to the study of Veterinary Immunology
1.2. Cells, tissues and organs of the immune system

2. Innate Immunity
2.1. Effector mechanisms (phagocytic cells, complement, inflammation)
2.2. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and their recognition (PRRs)

3. Adaptive immunity
3.1. Immunoglobulins, B-cell receptor (BCR) and T-cell receptor (TCR): structure and function. Particularities of different animal species
3.2. Immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor codification and generation of diversity
3.3. Maturation and differentiation of B and T cells
3.4. Cooperation between B and T cells
3.5. MHC codification and expression. Particularities of different animal species
3.6. Antigen processing and presentation

4. Effector and regulatory immune mechanisms.
4.1. Cytokines and chemokines
4.2. Differentiation and effector and regulatory function of T-cells
4.3. Immunity in body surfaces
4.4. Immune response during infection
4.5. Vaccination

5. The immune system in physiological and pathologycal condition
5.1. Hypersensitivity reactions
5.2. Tumor immunology
5.3. Tolerance and autoimmunity
5.4. Transplantation

6. Immunological methods
6.1. Separation of blood mononuclear cells
6.2. Mechanisms of microbial control: phagocytosis
6.3. Kinetics of the cellular inflammatory response
6.4. Immunodiagnosis techniques
6.5. Measurement of serum immunoglobulins by ELISA
6.6. Flow cytometry
6.7. Electrophoresis of serum proteins
6.8. Neutrophil microbicidal mechanisms
6.9. Evaluation of the structure of an antibody by SDS-PAGE
6.10. Lymphoid organs and tissues
6.11. Discussion of scientific data and clinical cases

Mandatory literature

Tizard, Ian; veterinary Immunology, Saunders, 2017. ISBN: 9780323523493

Complementary Bibliography

Abul Abbas, Andrew Lichtman, Shiv Pillai; Cellular and Molecular Immunology 10th Edition, Elsevier, 2021. ISBN: 9780323757485

Comments from the literature

Scientific articles may be also provided as well as manuscripts prepared by the teachers

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures, laboratory classes, case discussion classes.

keywords

Health sciences > Medical sciences > Veterinary medicine > Animal immunology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	79,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

Participation in a minimum of 3/4 of the practical classes

Calculation formula of final grade

Mark obtained in the final exam. Alternatively, the evaluation can be done in two partial tests, corresponding the final grade to the arithmetic mean of the two tests.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the specific rules approved by ICBAS

Classification improvement

According to the specific rules approved by ICBAS