ID:
MED0223
Duration (hours):
40
CFU:
5
SSD:
PATOLOGIA GENERALE
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (03/03/2025 - 20/05/2025)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Students will learn the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system. The course will focus on the innate and adaptive immunity, mechanism of antigen presentation, and activation of effectors immune cells. Special emphasis will be given to the immune mechanisms at the basis of pathologies, such as immunodeficiency. Given the importance that immunotherapy has acquired in the last decade in the field of tumors, topics of anti-tumor immunotherapy will be addressed through lectures and seminars, highlighting the new therapies and their effectiveness in the field of different types of tumor. At the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the molecular and cellular basis of innate and adaptive immunity, the mechanisms of antigen recognition, lymphocyte activation and differentiation, immune tolerance, and the immunopathogenesis of immunodeficiencies, as well as the fundamental principles of immunotherapy, particularly in oncology.
They will be able to:
a) apply immunological concepts to the understanding of major pathogenetic mechanisms and the biological rationale underlying immunotherapeutic strategies;
b) critically evaluate the role of the immune system in pathophysiology and emerging therapies;
c) use appropriate immunological terminology when describing the mechanisms of the immune response.
Students will also have developed the conceptual tools required for independent learning and further study in clinical immunology.
They will be able to:
a) apply immunological concepts to the understanding of major pathogenetic mechanisms and the biological rationale underlying immunotherapeutic strategies;
b) critically evaluate the role of the immune system in pathophysiology and emerging therapies;
c) use appropriate immunological terminology when describing the mechanisms of the immune response.
Students will also have developed the conceptual tools required for independent learning and further study in clinical immunology.
Course Prerequisites
General scientific and biological knowledge of High school.
Moreover, the teachings of the first year, particularly Biochemistry and Anatomy, will be useful to better understand the themes of the course.
Moreover, the teachings of the first year, particularly Biochemistry and Anatomy, will be useful to better understand the themes of the course.
Teaching Methods
The aims of the course will be achieved through lectures for a total of 40
hours to which are added 10 hours of supplementary teaching, for the deepening of a topic of interest chosen in agreement with the students (examples: HIV infection; Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T-cells). In this context, a seminar will also be organized in collaboration with the AIRC campus, managed by an external teacher and mainly focused on anticancer immunotherapy. The class attendance is mandatory. Students must have attended at least 75% of scheduled lectures in order to be eligible to take the exams.
hours to which are added 10 hours of supplementary teaching, for the deepening of a topic of interest chosen in agreement with the students (examples: HIV infection; Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T-cells). In this context, a seminar will also be organized in collaboration with the AIRC campus, managed by an external teacher and mainly focused on anticancer immunotherapy. The class attendance is mandatory. Students must have attended at least 75% of scheduled lectures in order to be eligible to take the exams.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of a written test comprising 34 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 40 minutes. One mark will be awarded for each question in which all correct answers are selected, while no marks will be given for unanswered or incorrect responses. To pass the examination, students must achieve the minimum pass mark (18 points). No penalty will be applied for incorrect answers. The correction of the test, including explanation of the correct answers, will take place immediately after the examination.
Remote examinations are reserved for students who fall within the categories specified in Ministerial Decree (D.M.) 1835 of 6 December 2024. In this case, the test will be delivered via the Moodle platform and will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 15 minutes. The scoring criteria will be communicated by the lecturer prior to the examination. The maximum mark is 30; to obtain honours (lode), the lecturer will ask an additional question. To pass the examination, students must achieve the minimum pass mark (18 points).
Questions will cover the entire course syllabus and will assess: knowledge and understanding (35%), ability to apply knowledge and understanding (25%), making judgements (10%), communication skills (10%), and learning skills (20%) in relation to the topics addressed during the course. A single final mark will be awarded for the course.
The examination will be made available to students for consultation within 10 days of the publication of the results, after which it will be definitively archived.
Remote examinations are reserved for students who fall within the categories specified in Ministerial Decree (D.M.) 1835 of 6 December 2024. In this case, the test will be delivered via the Moodle platform and will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 15 minutes. The scoring criteria will be communicated by the lecturer prior to the examination. The maximum mark is 30; to obtain honours (lode), the lecturer will ask an additional question. To pass the examination, students must achieve the minimum pass mark (18 points).
Questions will cover the entire course syllabus and will assess: knowledge and understanding (35%), ability to apply knowledge and understanding (25%), making judgements (10%), communication skills (10%), and learning skills (20%) in relation to the topics addressed during the course. A single final mark will be awarded for the course.
The examination will be made available to students for consultation within 10 days of the publication of the results, after which it will be definitively archived.
Contents
The course aims to define all aspects of the immune system, with particular attention to the experimental basis useful to outline all the postulates of the immune response. The basic aspects of the immune system will be treated in a systematic way: cells and tissues of the immune system, innate immunity and effector mechanisms of innate immunity; adaptive immunity, antigen processing and presentation, effector mechanisms of adaptive immunity, ontogenesis and activation of B and T lymphocytes, immunological tolerance. It will also provide information on the experimental systems used for the study of an immunological process and on the techniques based on antigen-antibody reactions. Emphasis will be given to the application of immunological techniques in therapy (monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T cells, etc.)
Course Language
Italian
More information
Office hours previous appointment by e-mail (greta.forlani@uninsubria.it) at Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Pad. Biffi, via O.rossi 9, Varese.
Degrees
Degrees
MEDICINE AND SURGERY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree (6 Years)
6 years
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People
People
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