Hematology and Immunology

Recommended Prerequisites

Cellular and molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Teaching Methods

Lectures supported by visual material (Powerpoint presentation) with active participation of students through questions and correlation of knowledge.

Practical classes where the students consolidate theoretical knowledge and develop different skills in particular, lab material handling and critical analysis of results.

Learning Outcomes

This is a bivalent Unit. On the one hand, it is intended that students acquire a basic knowledge in hematology that allows the understanding of some hematologic diseases and associated treatments, as well as the analytical parameters of these diseases. By the other hand, they must acquire knowledge of the immune system and the effector mechanisms of the immune response. It is also intended that students realize the potential of antigen-antibody binding specificity as the basis of original systems of diagnostic as well as the basis of new therapeutic approaches. Theoretical and laboratory practices are essential for the consolidation of knowledge and the development of critical thinking and analysis by the Students.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theory:Hematopoiesis and regulation of hematopoiesis.The red blood cell and hemoglobin. Abnormal hemoglobins.The membrane of the red blood cell.The metabolism of the red blood cell.Anaemias.Classification and laboratory data.Hemostasis.The haemostatic system.Blood clotting.Inhibitors of coagulation factors.Physiological anticoagulant mechanisms.Coagulation disorders.Thrombosis and antithrombotic therapy.Organs of the immune system.Innate versus adaptive immunity.Inflammation.Antigen recognition by the adaptive immune system.Major Histocompatibility Complex.Maturation,activation and differentiation of T cells and B cells.The complement system: activation, pathways and main functions.Infection and Immunity.Vaccines.Types of vaccines.Practical and Laboratory:Blood samples for hematological analysis.The blood count and the blood smear.Discussion of clinical cases.
Antigen-antibody interaction and immunological assays.

Head Lecturer(s)

Teresa Carmo Pimenta Dinis Silva

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Essential Hematology.  A. V. Hoffbrand, P. A. H. Moss and J. E. Pettit.

5^th ed., Blackwell Publishing , 2006

Practical  Hematology.  J. Dacie, S. M. Lewis. Churchill Livingstone

Kuby Immunology.  Kint, Goldsby and Osborne.

6th ed., W. H. Freeman and Company, 2007

Fundamentos de Imunologia.  F. A. Arosa E. Cardoso F. Pacheco, LIDEL, 2012