Immunology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

Objectives

At the end of the course the students should be able to:
1. Know the composition of the immune system (IS) and the importance of immune homeostasis.
2. Understand the interaction between pathogens and the components of IS.
3. Distinguish the mechanisms used by pathogens to invade, evade and subvert the activity of IS.
4. Identify the immune parameters suitable for vaccine evaluation.
5. Understand the techniques used in cellular and molecular immunology.
6. Identify the universe of application of different analytical methods applied to the study of IS mechanisms.
7. Gain autonomy in knowledge search.

General characterization

Code

5573029

Credits

4

Responsible teacher

Gabriela Santos-Gomes

Hours

Weekly - 10

Total - 28

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Not applicable

Bibliography

• Immunology. 2006. 7ª edição. Roitt I., Brostoff J., Male D. (Ed.), Mosby, London, 544 pg.
• The cytokine handbook. 2008. 3ª edição. Thomson A. Academic Press, London, 1017 pg.
• Advanced immunology. 1987. 2ª edição. Male D, Champion B, Cooke A, Owen M., Grower, London.
• Artigos científicos de revisão.
• Artigos científicos experimentais.

Teaching method

- Lectures.
- Lab practical classes.
- Project.
- Tutorial support.

Evaluation method

The evaluation of learning outcomes will take into account the level of success accomplished in the final examination and in the project. Rating equal to or greater than 10 on a scale of 0-20 provides the approval of the curricular unit.

Subject matter

I. Lecture contents:
Infection and inflammation. Activation and subversion of the complement system. Opsonization. Chemotactic mechanisms. Phagocytic cells. Cell sensors. Oxidative stress and NET. Apoptosis, necrosis and netosis. Antigen presenting cells (APCs). Gene structure of major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Restriction MHCI and MHCII. APC-lymphocyte interactions. B cells activation. Humoral immune response. T cell subpopulations and the respective activation mechanisms. Pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Pre and post-transcriptional regulation. Cytotoxic mechanisms. Differentiation and activation of T regulatory cells. Immunosuppressive cytokines. Immune homeostasis. Immunization. Cell memory. Vaccine development.
II. Practical contents:
Chemotaxis. Flow cytometry. Surface markers. Monoclonal antibodies. Oxidative stress
III. Project.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: