| CODE | 68163 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMIC YEAR | 2022/2023 |
| CREDITS |
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| SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR | MED/04 |
| LANGUAGE | Italian |
| TEACHING LOCATION |
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| SEMESTER | 1° Semester |
| MODULES | This unit is a module of: |
| TEACHING MATERIALS | AULAWEB |
Immunology is the science that studies the immune system, an integrated set of molecules and cells that operate in a coordinated manner to maintain the homeostasis of the organism and protect it from external agents, such pathogens and their products. The course also will address the main changes that affect the immune-mediated disease mechanisms. Finally, we will be introduced to the principles of immunological techniques for the application in quantitative and diagnostic analysis.
The purpose is to educate the knowledge of the structural and molecular mechanisms responsible for immune recognition of the signs of infection and damage to the tissues; to know the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the major immune cell populations responsible for the various stages of immune responses to injury; to know the mechanisms of integration and regulation of the answers themselves and learn the signaling mechanisms and the main pathways of signal transduction; to learn the main pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the alterations of the immune response.
At the end of the course the students should have acquired the fundamental knowledge relating to the cellular and molecular basis of the innate and adaptive immune response, their mutual integration and the mechanisms of controls. The students must also be able to describe the different ways of responses in relation to different types of damage, to distinguish the role and peculiarities of each component of the immune system and, finally, to be able to identify the main pathophysiological mechanisms of immune-mediated diseases.
The course consists of 10 hours of lectures in the classroom. Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations. The attendance at lessons is strongly recommended.
The frontal lessons could be carried out remotely in online mode using the Teams platform.
General features of the immune system
The primary and secondary lymphoid organs: bone marrow and thymus. Spleen and Lymph Nodes, Mucosal Associated Lymphoid Tissues (MALT)
Cells of the immune system: a) Innate Immuniy Cells b) Specific Immunity Cells.
Antigen-antibody reaction (outline)
Innate and adaptive immune response: main features and phases
The complement System (outline)
The Cytokines
Natural Killer cells (NK)
Maturation of T and B lymphocytes
The antigen receptor of T and B lymphocytes
The Antigens. The recognition of the antigen
The Antibodies: structure and functions of antibodies, antibody classes.
The major class I and II histocompatibility system: structure and function
Processing and presentation of antigen to T lymphocytes
Activation and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes: cell-mediated and humoral response.
Defenses against Pathogens (outline)
IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
Hypersensitivity reactions: classification and general characteristics.
Autoimmunity and Autoimmune Diseases (outline)
Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies (outline)
Le difese immunitarie di Guido Forni,Elena Quaglino,Federica Cavallo. Editore: PICCIN-NUOVA LIBRARIA
Le Basi dell'Immunologia. Fisiopatologia del Sistema Immunitario. Abbas A.k, Lichtman A.H. Pillai, S. Editore: EDRA
TOOLS IN SUPPORT OF TEACHING: All the slides used during the lectures and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of lessons (PDF format).
Office hours: By appointment by email: mariacristina.mingari@unige.it
MARIA ADELAIDE PRONZATO (President)
ANNA LISA FURFARO
MARIA CRISTINA MINGARI
NICOLA TRAVERSO (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)
Lessons start on October 2019
All class schedules are posted on the EasyAcademy portal.
The exam consists of an oral test and takes place in the presence of the Course teachers. The interview lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on the program carried out during the lectures. Through the discussion of various topics, the Commission verifies the achievement of the educational objectives envisaged by the teaching.
At the end of the interview, the teachers of the Commission formulate a final vote which derives from the overall judgment of the candidate.
The maximum mark of 30 out of 30 with honors will be awarded if the commission, unanimously, considers the student's preparation to be exceptional.
The exam could be carried in out remotely online mode using the Teams platform.
The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to verify the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge and in-depth study of the topics covered. In particular, during the interview, the student will have to demonstrate: to know the role and function of the cellular and molecular elements involved in the immune processes; to have acquired an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of response at the cellular and molecular level of the immune system and its regulation; to know the alterations of the immune system due to illness, to learn the basics of immunological techniques.. During the interview the ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.
Regular class attendance is strongly recommended.