Immunology

Knowledge in cellular and molecular biology

The main goal of theoretical classes is to present in detail all the different parts of the program. During the classes, graphic exposition, based on powerpoint presentations, will be used to allow a better acquisition of knowledge by the students, as well as a good interaction between the students and the teacher.

Despite the unit is entirely theoretical, during the classes it will be presented clinical cases as well as their respective interpretation and discussion, in what concerns to the quantification, phenotypic characterization and functional evaluation of the different cells of the immune system, as well as cytokine measurements.

The student should acquire the knowledge of:

•Innate and acquired immunity.

•Cells of the immune system and soluble mediators.

•Lymphopoiesis. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs.

•Phases of the immune response.

•Antigen processing and presentation.

•Chemokines and cell migration.

•Effectors mechanisms of the immune response.

• Diseases of the Immune system.

•Laboratory evaluation of the immune system.

The student should acquire the faculty of:

•Identify changes in cellular or humoral immunological parameters in a normal or abnormal context.

The student should acquire the skills to:

•Develop, retain and expand their knowledge in the Immunology field.

•Know the cells and the soluble mediators involved during an immune response in a normal or pathological condition.

•Know the laboratorial methodologies more often used to evaluate the immune system and to analyze the obtained results in normal or pathological conditions.

Understand the mechanism of action of the therapies that interfere with the immune system.

An overview of the immune system: Innate and acquired immunity; cells and soluble mediators.

Different phases of an immune response.

Lymphoid system: Lymphopoiesis; Primary and secondary lymphoid organs; Cell migration.

Antigens, antibodies and cell receptors.

Immunogenetics: Major histocompatibility complex; inflammatory genes.

Antigen recognition by the immune system. Antigen processing and presentation.

Cell cooperation during a cellular or humoral immune response. Cytokines and chemokines.

Effectors mechanisms of an immune response: immunocomplex, complement activation, cellular and antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity.

Immune response regulation and tolerance induction.      

Immune response to virus, bacteria and tumor.

Physiopathology of autoimmune diseases, primary immunodeficiency´s and of allergy.

Basic principles of flow cytometry and files analysis.

Other immunological laboratory tests. 

Therapies that interfere with the immune system.

Anti-tumoral therapies.  

NAO

Primary:

“Roitt’s Essential Immunology” 13^th Edition

Ivan M. Roitt, Dennis R. Burton, Seamus J. Martin e Peter J. Delves Editor: JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

“Fundamentos de Imunologia”, coordenado por Fernando A. Arosa, Elsa M. Cardoso e Francisco C. Pacheco. 2ª edição Editor: Lidel