SCV0714 - INTEGRATED COURSE OF PHYSIOPATHOLOGY - Immunology and basic pathology

courses

ID:

SCV0714

Duration (hours):

50

CFU:

SSD:

FISIOLOGIA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 30/01/2026)

Course Objectives

The basic concepts of immunology are an integral part of the preparation of the biologist heading toward Biomedicine. The Biomedical Curriculum of the Biological Sciences degree program features courses devoted to pharmacology, toxicology, pathophysiology. The "immunology with elements of pathology" module is part of the integrated pathophysiology course and has as its primary objective learning the fundamentals of immunology from elementary notions of cellular and molecular biology. Part of the course is aimed at illustrating the main experimental and technological approaches in immunology and other related subject areas. In addition, the course also introduces the basics of inflammation and the reparative process. The learning of experimental approaches is further supported by a laboratory exercise included in the total 6 CFUs of the course. The student upon completion of the course will be able to navigate the complexity of immune responses, with particular reference to acquired immunity and the role of various lymphocyte populations. In addition, the student will be able to analyze the experimental data obtained in the laboratory exercise. This knowledge is of fundamental importance to access the study of modern immunopathology.

Course Prerequisites

To follow the lectures profitably, it is advisable for the student to already have basic knowledge of cytology and histology. There are no propaedeuticity constraints for this teaching

Teaching Methods

Frontal teaching, 44 hours corresponding to 5.5 CFU. One laboratory exercise, 6 hours corresponding to 0.5 CFU. Lectures will be conducted by means of power point presentations.

Assessment Methods

The final examination consists of a written test characterized by seven multiple-choice questions plus two open-ended questions. In this way, the instructor will test the students' preparation and expository skills. Students are expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of current immunology and a basic understanding of some experimental methods. The final mark is graded as follows: seven marks for the 7 multiple-choice questions, 12 marks for the first open-ended question, 12 marks for the second open-ended question, (the sum of these marks is 30+1, 30 with honors).

-leukocytes, hematopoiesis. -innate and acquired responses, immunological memory -apoptosis and necrosis -immunoglobulins, structure and functions -antibodies in biotechnology -Major Histocompatibility Complex, T lymphocytes, TcR and antigen presentation -cytokines and Th1/Th2 polarization -vaccines -receptors of innate immunity and complement system -functional anatomy of acquired responses -inflammation -laboratory module, experiments illustrating the effector properties of the Complement System

Course Language

Italian

More information

The lecturer is available for meetings with students for discussion or clarification of topics covered, upon appointment by e-mail (a.delermabarbaro@uninsubria.it)