OVERVIEW

he lessons contained in the course of General Pathology and Immunology are intended to provide a biotechnology student with a general picture of the defense methods implemented by our immune system against etiologic agents and neoplasms. The course also analyzes the pathogenetic mechanisms of inflammatory response and neoplastic transformation.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In-depth knowledge about the main molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune response (natural and adaptative) against pathogens and tumors. Knowledge about hypersensitivity reactions and related conditions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The part of General Pathology gives in-depth knowledge on the inflammatory process The concepts of angioflogosis and histoflogosis will be defined and characterized. Important aspects of general oncology will be addressed, such as the definitions of oncogene, tumor marker and metastasis. The classification of tumors on the basis of behavior, histogenesis, grading and staging will be defined.

About Immunology, the physiology of the immune system and the peculiar feature of innate and adaptive immune response will be deeply characterized. Finally, some of the principal pathological aspects of immune system will be described.

TEACHING METHODS

These topics are explained by the teacher through PowerPoint presentations and the lessons are shared on Aula Web. However, the teachers always recommend the use of a textbook to expand the overall view of the subjects

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY

- The inflammatory process

Definition and causes of angioflogosis

Active and passive hyperemia: causes and consequences

Inflammatory oedema: causes and different exudates

Cellular and plasmatic mediators

Histoflogosis: pathogenesis and classification

Tissue repair

Hints on tuberculosis and syphilis

-General oncology

Modern definition of neoplasia

Cancer cells: atypical morphology, metabolism and behavior

Main concepts of tumor marker

Initiation, promotion and progression in carcinogenesis

Metastasis: definition and implications of tumor spread

Oncogenes: definition of and their mechanisms of activation

Hints on genetic predisposition to cancer

Causes of cancer: physical, chemical and biological factors

Classification of tumors on the basis of: behavior (malignant/benign), histogenesis, grading and staging

IMMUNOLOGY

The Immune System: Cells and Tissues of the Immune System.

General features of the Innate and Adaptive  Immune response.

The Innate Immunity Receptors. The Complement System. 

Natural Killer Cells (NK). Dendritic Cells (Myeloid and Plasmacitoid).

The Adaptive Immune Response. Clonal selection Theory. 

Origin and maturation of T and B lymphocytes. The Antigen receptors gene rearrangement (Immunoglobulin and T Cell receptors)

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) . The antigen processing and presentation to T Lymphocytes.

Activation of T Lymphocytes. Effector mechanisms of Cell mediated Immunity. Cytotoxic and Helper T cells subpopulations

B cell activation and Antibody production. The effector mechanisms of Humoral Immunity

The Cytokines.

Immunity to Pathogens. Mucosal Immunity. The Hypersensitivity Reactions. The immunity to tumors

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Molecular Pathology: G.M. Pontieri, Elementi di patologia generale per i corsi di Laurea in Professioni Sanitarie. III Edizione PICCIN.

Immunology: P.Parham, Il sistema Immunitario, EdiSes; AK Abbas, AH Lichtmann, Le basi dell’Immunologia, ELSEVIER.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

EUGENIO DEBBIA (President)

MARIA CRISTINA MINGARI (President)

GABRIELLA PIETRA (President)

ROBERTA RICCIARELLI (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

March 1st 2019

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination consisting in a 30 minutes interview in the presence of the Course teachers

During the examination the student should demonstrate the ability to critically discuss all the subjects covered in the questions. Through the discussion of different topics, the committee verifies the fulfillment of the expected learning outcomes.

At the end of the oral examination, teachers elaborate a mark deriving from the weighted average of the partial marks and from an overall judgment/evaluation of the student.

Available dates for examination will be 2 for the winter session (January-February) and 5 for the summer session (June-September).

In order to attend the oral examination, students will have to register on the website (https://servizionline.unige.it/studenti/esami/prenotazione) at least four days before the examination date. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Verification of learning is carried out through the oral exam, aimed at verifying the real acquisition by the student of the expected learning outcomes.

In order to pass the exam the student will have:

- to know the etiological basis and the pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases and how to analyze their main cellular and molecular aspects;

- to understand the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and to know some of the diseases associated to the dysfunction of the immune system ( the  Four Hypersensitivity Reactions)

The following items will contribute to the final mark:

- ability to critically discuss the requested topics;

- accuracy, clarity, synthesis and fluency;

- competence in the subject;

- speaking ability and correct use of terminology.

Exam schedule