Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Applied Immunology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Doubts will be solved before/after class. In order to solve doubts outside of opening hours, you will need to make an appointment by email.
Introduction
Applied Immunology is a subject of the Biomaterial degree. Introduces the student to the study of the defense mechanisms (physiological and pathological) of the organism against microorganisms, toxins or antigens derived from the malfunctioning of cells. This subject allows the student to study the interaction between pathogens and the host based on knowledge of the components and functions of the immune system in conditions of health and disease.
Pre-course requirements
The student taking the Applied Immunology subject must have an important foundation in microbiology, biochemistry, human genetics, molecular biology, cell biology and cellular and molecular pathology.-
Objectives
Identify elements of the immune system both from a structural and functional point of view, in conditions of health and disease.
Understand the role of surveillance and homeostatic control of the immune system.
Understand the interaction between innate and adaptive immunity.
To know the impact of knowledge of the immune system on the improvement of human health, mainly with regard to the prevention and diagnosis of diseases, and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
- CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
- CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
- CG8 - To apply quality principles and methods.
- CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Analyze the characteristics and differences of adaptive and innate immune response.
Establish the relationship between the pathogen and the type of immune response of the host: Entry route, response mechanisms, memory and evasion.
Know the main disorders of the immune system: hypersensitivity, autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiencies.
Know the role of the immune system in clinical situations such as organ transplantation or tumor immunology.
Understand the mechanisms of activation and regulation of the cellular and humoral immune response and their relationship with diseases of the immune system.
Learn about laboratory techniques for the study of the immune system. Know the theoretical basis of the immunological tools used in the diagnostic and research laboratory.
Syllabus
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Recognition and response. Components of innate immunity
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Receptors of innate immnunity. Effector mechanisms of the induced innate response
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Lymphocyte receptors
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MHC and antigen presentation
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Development of T and B lymphocytes. Tolerance
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Activation and differentiation of T cells. Effector functions
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Activation and differentiation of B cells. Effector functions
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Mucosal immunity
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Global undersdanding of an immune response
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Vaccines
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Hypersinsitivities
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Trasplant immunology
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Diagnostic and types of immunoassays
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures (CM): exposition for 50+50 minutes of a theoretical topic by the teacher. Depending on the topic, different activities will be proposed to encourage student participation that can influence the final grade of the subject.
Case methods (MC): approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work in small groups or in active interaction with the teacher to answer the questions posed. Various learning strategies can be used to enhance student participation and interaction. In these classes, you can deepen the topics discussed in the master classes or contribute new content. MCs have equal importance and weightage of questions in the final exam.
Laboratory Practices (PL): practical sessions where experimental techniques are worked on related to the syllabus worked on in theoretical classes. Changes to practice groups are allowed as long as it is a change from one student to another. Attendance is compulsory and the content of the practical sessions will be assessed on the last day of practicals and/or in the final exam.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1. In the final exam, a minimum score of 5 (out of 10) must be obtained to make a weighted average with the rest of the activities (partial exam, MCs and PL). The subject is approved with a minimum grade of 5 (out of 10) in the weighted average of all activities.
2. The exams will be of the test type with 4 answer options, counting +1 for correct answers and -0.25 for errors.
3. The exams may include content belonging to any of the activities carried out during the course (CM, MCs and PL).
4. The final exam may include one or more developmental questions that will only be assessed on students who obtain a grade higher than 7.5. Its aim is to provide information when awarding excellent grades and honors (without prejudice to those who have already achieved them through the exam and other assessable activities).
5. The teacher reserves 10% of the total grade to consider contributions and participation (which includes: contribution of interesting ideas, assistance with non-mandatory methodologies and punctuality in attending classes and handing in assignments).
6. Class attendance:
Attendance at lectures is not compulsory, but attendees must follow the rules indicated by the teachers.
To qualify for 100% of the grade corresponding to the activity in the MC classroom, you will need to attend and participate in 3 of the 4 sessions. You can therefore miss a session without prejudice to the grade; from the second absence, a correction factor will be applied to the average mark of the rest of the MCs (2 faults = mark x 0.8; 3 faults = mark x 0.7; 4 faults = mark x 0.6; etc.). Mistakes will not be justifiable. Attendance at the laboratory practices is necessary to pass the subject. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory leads to the automatic suspension of the subject. It will be necessary to attend ALL practice sessions to be able to appear at the first call.
7. Improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops can lead to expulsion from class. Improper use is understood as the recording and/or dissemination of images of students or teachers during the different classes, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Important considerations:
- Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, plagiarism during exams will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
- In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be possible).
- Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
- Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Bibliography and resources
Books:
Kuby Immunology. Owen, J., Punt, J., Stranford, S., & Jones, P. Macmillan Learning, 2018 Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Abbas, A. K., Lichtman, H., & Pillai, S. Elsevier, 2021 Janeway’s Immunobiology. Murphy, K. M., & Weaver, C. Garland Science/Taylor & Francis Group, LLC., 2017
Scientific journals:
Frontiers in Immunology: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology
Nature Immunology: https://www.nature.com/ni/
Nature Reviews in Immunology: https://www.nature.com/nri/
Journal of Immunology: https://www.jimmunol.org/
Evaluation period
- E1 16/01/2024 P2A02 14:00h
- E2 18/06/2024 P2A03 16:00h