Complementary Immunology

Recommended Prerequisites

Hematology and Immunology; Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry.

Teaching Methods

The curricular unit works with:

i) theoretical classes, for presentation and discussion of the various items of the program;

ii) laboratory classes to clarify the fundamentals of the methodologies most used in the routine of an immunology laboratory and to perform the experimental work.

Learning Outcomes

This unit covers a wide range of knowledge on Immunology, from the structural basis of the immune system to immune pathologies. Students will gain insight on the main laboratory methodologies routinely used in  diagnosis, prognosis assessment and therapeutic monitoring.

The objectives of this unit and student's competencies are:

i) The acquisition of solid knowledge on the mechanisms and functions of the immune system;

ii) To understand the components of the immune system and the ability of modulating their acticivity with the aim of amplifying anti-pathogen and anti-cancer responses or to inhibit exaggerated immune responses.

iii) To know the immune system pathologies and the markers and methodologies used for disease diagnosis and prognosis assessment, as well as therapeutic monitoring.

iv) To stimulate reasoning and critical thinking through the discussion of relevant topics.   

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theoretical classes:

Structural bases and general mechanisms of the immune response. The innate immune response

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and lymphocyte receptors.

The acquired immune response: main characteristics, types of immune responses (Th1, Th2, Th17, etc.) and effector mechanisms of the cellular and humoral immune response.

Regulation of the immune response: cytokines and central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Autoimmune diseases

Immunological response to pathogens.

Immune-oncology: tumor resistance and anti-tumor immunity; immunological mechanisms of tumor cell destruction.

Immunology of transplantation.

Immunogenetics

Hypersensitivities and immunodeficiencies

Modulation of the immune system: vaccines.

Laboratory classes

Execution of methodologies used in the routine of an immunology laboratory, including analysis by flow cytometry. Interpretation and discussion of the results obtained.

Head Lecturer(s)

Armanda Emanuela Castro Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Arosa F. A. e col. Fundamentos de Imunologia. LIDEL, 2ª edição (2012)

Murphy and Weaver. Janeway’s Immunobiology. 10th ed., 2022

Punt, Owen, Jones and Stranford. Kuby Immunology. 8ª ed., 2018.

Artigos científicos com temas de imunologia serão cedidos sempre que for adequado/Lecture notes or articles will be supplied whenever needed.