Immunology of Aquatic Animals

Code:

RM23

Acronym:

IAA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Aquatic Production
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	15	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Give the students notions on the evolution and diversity of the immunological system. Present the differences between invertebrates and vertebrates immune system, the specificities of fish immune system (agnatha, cartilaginous and bony fish), their major components and functions (major immune organs, cells and molecules). Understanding fish immunological memory and strategies for vaccination and administration oof immunostimulants and probiotics.

Learning outcomes and competences

Acquire notions about the fish immunological system and understand the differences between innate and adaptive immunity, as well as their relevance in aquatic mammals, fish and other aquatic organisms. Recognize the importance of several factors that affect the immune response. Understand the importance and particularities of maternal memory, major histocompatibility complex (MHC), toll-like receptors and immunoglobulins. Understand the factors that contribute to fish immunological memory, the different methods of fish vaccination e considerations about their elaboration and usage, as well as other strategies for stimulating the immune system (using immunostimulants and probiotics).

Working method

Presencial

Program

Theoretical

Introduction
Introduction to the theoretical component of the curricular unit

Evolução do sistema imunitário
Ontogeny of the immune system. Differences between invertebrate and vertebrate immune system. Innate vs. adaptive immune system.

Main components of the immune system
Organs and tissues of the immune system: thymus, spleen, head kidney, epigonal and Leydig organs. Cells of the immune system: B and T lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages, granulocytes, basophils, eosinophils, thrombocytes. Molecules of the immune system: immunoglobulins, MHC, toll-like receptors, interleukins and antimicrobial peptides.

Physiology of the immune response
Factors that affect the immune response (temperature, age, stress, nutrition) and the importance of fish innate immunity

Maternal memory in fish
Mechanisms and cells involved in the transmission of maternal immunity

Iron and immunity
The role of iron in the immune response

Immunomodulation
Vaccination: methods of fish vaccination (oral, injection, immersion, aerosol), considerations on the production and administration of vaccines. Application of immunostimulants and probiotics.

Practical
- Anatomy and histology of fish immune system (agnatha, cartilaginous and bony fish)
- Necropsy and identification of the different organs of the immune system
- Observation of histology preparations of the various components of the immune system
- Isolation, observation and identification of cells from the immune system (red and white cells)
- Experimental administration of vaccines/immunostimulants and sample collection (blood, tissues, cells)
- Analysis and comparison of hematological and serological parameters pre and post-infection
- Gene expression analysis of genes involved in the immune response

Mandatory literature

Ivan Roitt; Immunology. ISBN: 0-7234-3189-2
Fish Defenses. Volume 1: Immunology, Zaccone G., Meseguer J., Gárcia-Ayala, A., Kapoor, B.G. , 2009

Complementary Bibliography

Origin and Evolution of the Vertebrate Immune System, Pasquier, L., Litman, G.W. , 2000
Press, C. M. ; Immunology of fishes. In: Handbook of Vertebrate Immunology, Pastoret, P.P., Griebel, P., Bazin, H., Govaerts, A., 1998
Evans, D.L., Jaso-Friedmann, L; Nonspecific Cytotoxic Cells and Innate Cellular Immunity in Teleost Fish. in: Recent Advances in Marine Biotechnology. Volume 5: Immunobiology and Pathology, Fingerman, M., Nagabhushanam, R. , 2000

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical lessons
Theoretical-pratical/Practical lessons. Laboratory work.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	85,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

Students must be present in at least 3/4 of the practical lessons

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam - 70%
Preparation and oral presentation of scientific article - 30%

Examinations or Special Assignments

Preparation and oral presentation of scientific paper

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Examination equal to other students, benefiting from the special dates in accordance with the rules in force at ICBAS

Classification improvement

Examination for grade improvement in accordance with the rules in force at ICBAS

Observations

In view of the present circumstances (COVID19) and in order to minimize the moments of face-to-face evaluation, the evaluation of the UC of Immunology of Aquatic Animals was altered along the following lines:

Evaluation Type
Distributed evaluation with no final exam

Assessment Components
Continuous evaluation (online communication with students) - 20%
On site evaluation (of the classes that were still on site) - 10%
Preparation and presentation of scientific article - 70%

Calculation formula of final grade
Grade = 0.70 x preparation and presentation of scientific article + 0.20 x continuous evaluation + 0.10 x on site evaluation