Immunology of Aquatic Animals
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Marine Biology and Ecology |
Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S (of 17-02-2025 to 18-07-2025) ![Requerida a integração com o Moodle Ícone do Moodle](/icbas/pt/imagens/MoodleIcon)
Cycles of Study/Courses
Acronym |
No. of Students |
Study Plan |
Curricular Years |
Credits UCN |
Credits ECTS |
Contact hours |
Total Time |
MCMRM |
2 |
Oficial Plan 2018 |
1 |
- |
5 |
50 |
135 |
Teaching Staff - Responsibilities
Teaching language
Suitable for English-speaking students
Objectives
Provide students with knowledge about the diversity and evolution of the immune system. To present the differences between invertebrate and vertebrate immune systems. Make known the specificities of the fish immune system (agnatha, cartilaginous and bony fish), their major components and functions (major immune organs, cells and molecules), as well as in other aquatic animals. Understanding immunological memory and strategies for vaccination and administration of immunostimulants and probiotics.
Learning outcomes and competences
Acquire notions about the immune 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
TheoreticalIntroductionIntroduction to the theoretical component of the curricular unit
Evolução do sistema imunitárioOntogeny of the immune system. Differences between invertebrate and vertebrate immune system. Innate vs. adaptive immune system.
Main components of the immune systemOrgans 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 responseFactors that affect the immune response (temperature, age, stress, nutrition) and the importance of fish innate immunity
Maternal memory in fishMechanisms and cells involved in the transmission of maternal immunity
Iron and immunityThe role of iron in the immune response
ImmunomodulationVaccination: 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
Immunity in laboratory animal models
- 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
Jeni Punt, Sharon Stranford, Patricia Jones, Judith A. Owen; Kuby Immunology, 8th Edition, Macmillan Learning, 2018. ISBN: 978-1319114701
Peter J. Delves, Seamus J. Martin, Dennis R. Burton, Ivan M. Roitt; Roitt's Essential Immunology, 13th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2017. ISBN: 978-1118415771
Fernando A. Arosa, Elsa M. Cardoso, Francisco C. Pacheco; Fundamentos de Imunologia, 2ª Edição, Lidel, 2012. ISBN: 978-9727578566
Complementary Bibliography
Press, C. M. ; Immunology of fishes. In: Handbook of Vertebrate Immunology, Pastoret, P.P., Griebel, P., Bazin, H., Govaerts, A., 1998
Kenneth Murphy, Casey Weaver; Janeway's Immunobiology, 9th Edition, Garland Science, 2016. ISBN: 978-0815345510
Vários, editado por Giacomo Zaccone; Fish Defenses Vol. 1: Immunology, CRC Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-1138114968
Comments from the literature
Additional bibliography suitable for each class will be used and provided to students, mainly in the form of papers or extracts from scientific papers from journals in the field of Immunology of aquatic animals, such as:
- Fish & Shellfish Immunology;
- Developmental and Comparative Immunology;
- Journal of Fish Diseases;
- Aquaculture;
- among others.
Teaching methods and learning activities
Classroom lessons:
Theoretical
Theoretical-practical/Practical. Laboratory work.
keywords
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Cell biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology
Health sciences > Medical sciences > Veterinary medicine > Animal health
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Evolutionary biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Aquatic biology
Health sciences > Medical sciences > Veterinary medicine > Animal immunology
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 |
84,00 |
Frequência das aulas |
50,00 |
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico |
1,00 |
Total: |
135,00 |
Eligibility for exams
Students must be present in at least 3/4 of the practical lessons.
Calculation formula of final grade
Written final exam (E) - 70%
Preparation and oral presentation of scientific paper (SP) - 30%
Final grade - E * 0,7 + SP * 0,3
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. Student-workers, with dispensation for pratical classes, the final grade will the the exam grade (E - 100%).
Classification improvement
Examination for grade improvement in accordance with the rules in force at ICBAS.Observations
B-learning and E-learning methodologies could be adopted, and the type of evaluation might also change.
Students will be informed before any changes are made.