Immunology of Aquatic Animals

Code:

RM23

Acronym:

IAA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S (of 16-02-2026 to 31-07-2026)

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	16	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Learning outcomes and competences

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
 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

The student cannot exceed the maximum number of absences corresponding to 25% of the scheduled classes (in accordance with the “Pedagogical and Assessment of Student Performance Regulations" of ICBAS, Art. 19, Point 2).

Calculation formula of final grade

Examinations or Special Assignments

Preparation and oral presentation of scientific paper.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Classification improvement

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

Observations