Inflamação Crónica

Objectives

The aim of this UC is to provide the student with an integrated perspective of the central role of chronic inflammation in some of the most challenging diseases of our time, including inflammatory rheumatic diseases, ocular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and even muscle involvement. This UC will examine the role that chronic inflammation plays in these conditions, and will also provide to the student deeper knowledge in biological mechanisms (T and B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, mesenchimal cells and several molecules) and its complex interactions. The potential of new research methodologies to improve the current knowledge and the identification of new therapeutic targets. Allowing the breadth of drugs currently available for more than a century to alleviate symptoms (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), to disease-modifying drugs and so-called biologics that promise more targeted treatments.Top of Form

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It also aims to provide new skills to increase critical capacity regarding science publications through journal clubs presentations.  

General characterization

Code

121005

Credits

3

Responsible teacher

Professor Doutor Fernando Manuel Pimentel dos Santos

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

 

Bibliography

·         Chronic Inflammation: Molecular Pathophysiology, Nutritional and Therapeutic Interventions- Edited by Sashwati Roy, Debasis Bagchi, Siba P. Raychaudhuri- CRC Press, 2016, 1st Edition

·         Inflammation From Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms to the Clinic. Edited by Jean-Marc Cavaillon and Mervyn Singer. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2018. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/9783527692156.fmatter)

·         Scientific articles and other support material.

Teaching method

Classes will be related with syllabus teaching through research seminars format, presented by clinicians and basic researchers, giving a state-of-art overview and the research questions in the field. All support material will be available for students.

Part of the teaching time (20%) will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of scientific papers and research proposals focusing in chronic inflammation. The papers will be provided by the teachers as a complement of selected topics. The presentations of papers and research proposals will be performed by the students.

Evaluation method

The evaluation will be done through group presentation / discussion of papers (50% of grade) and the individual research proposal (50% of grade).

Subject matter

-    Introduction;

-    Chronic inflammation mechanisms, impact, and therapeutic approaches – Hot topics and future directions;

-    Cellular role in chronic inflammation:

o   Dendritic cells, complex cross-talk between organs and immune system; the possibility of immune therapies.

o   Mesenchymal (embryonic and adult) stem cells, risks and potential in regenerative medicine.

o   B cells and regulatory B cells for diagnosis and therapy.

o   T cells and regulatory T cells, Cytokines profile and chronic diseases implications.

-    Inflammation and muscle wasting (sarcopenia); The inflammatory signature, impact and new therapy approach.

-    Ocular inflammation, Clinical challenges and novel therapeutic approaches;

-    Cognitive consequences of chronic inflammation; neurodegenerative disorders and inflammation;

-    Omic approaches and inflammation; new perspectives, new therapeutic targets. The contribute for Personalized Medine.

-    Journal club and research proposals focusing chronic inflammation

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: