Corso di Laurea in Biotecnologie

Basic knowledges of cellular and molecular biology and microbiology

Objectives of lectures
The immune system has the main function of defending the individual from all pathogens and protecting the development of infectious diseases. However, it can also mediate aggression towards own tissues and organs (autoimmune diseases and hypersensitivity reactions) and can represent a barrier to a successful transplant.

The course aims at providing basis for knowing and classifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the correct functioning of the Immune System. Such knowledge is also essential to understand the possible interventions and / or manipulations of the Immune System for preventive and therapeutic purposes.

Objectives of practice activity
Practice activity will allow students to know some of most common techniques and assays applied in an immunology laboratory (Isolation of peripheral blood cells, Immunophenotype, ELISA).

The student must acquire the ability to integrate the knowledge assimilated in the previous teachings, relating to the basic sciences (cytology, histology, cell biology and microbiology), with the aspects relevant to the fundamental biological mechanisms of defense and aggression of the Immune System.

At the end of the course, the student must:

• to know the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the functioning of the Immune System during infections;
• to classify the different elements of the Immune System and the related defense mechanisms;
• to interpret the relationship between microorganisms and host in human infections;
• to know and understand the development and maturation processes of the elements of the Immune System;
• to know and understand the biotechnology bases of innovative therapy strategies and drugs, namely recombinant cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, gene manipulation of the immune response and monoclonal antibodies;
• to know the characteristics of the main vaccines available against infections, and strategies for innovative vaccines;
• to use technical scientific language;
• to know how to use appropriate tools and sources for a continuous updating once the profession has started

The teaching is organized in 48 hours, including 44 hours of lectures for all students and 4 hours of practice activity in a teaching laboratory. Some in group activities, such as short reports, quiz or presentation will be foreseen during the lecture hour in class. All the material will be made available on Campusnet or Moodle website.

The examination consists of a written test and the mark will be up to thirty cum laude. After the test, the student could see the assignment and discuss with the teacher to ask for clarifications or explanations on the wrong answers. The exam consists of a quiz with multiple choice answers in which the student will have to demonstrate knowledge of the topics and to have understood them, and the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to solve simple problems. Incorrect or undelivered answer is worth 0 points.

Attending the practice activity will give the opportunity to answer 6 free-answer questions about laboratory activity and gain up to 1 point that will be added to the mark of the final exam. The mark obtained about the practice activity can be spent exclusively during the academic year in which the student attends the Immunology course.

Some quiz and discussion in between main topics will help students in the awareness of their learning.

 

• An Introduction to Immunobiology: basic concepts in immunology
• The innate immunity: innate cells, receptors used from innate cells and cytokines and chemokines
• The Complement System
• The major histocompatibility complex: classical and non-classical MHC class I, II and III molecules
• The antigen presentation to T Lymphocytes
• The adaptive immunity: T and B cell origin, maturation and circulation
• The T Lymphocytes: generation of Lymphocyte Antigen Receptors; maturation, activation and differentiation (T helper, T killer and T regulators).
• B lymphocytes: the antigen receptor. Maturation, differentiation and T-independent and T dependent activation. Formation of the germinal center, maturation of receptor affinity and isotypic switch. The plasma cells.
• Antibodies: structure and biological properties of the antibody isotypes. The antigen-antibody reaction. Affinity, avidity, specificity.
• Kinetics and regulation of the antibody response.
• The monoclonal antibodies
• Vaccines: theoretical bases and perspectives
• Hypersensitivity Reactions: mechanisms and diseases
• Tolerance: cellular and molecular mechanisms of T and B lymphocyte tolerance towards self. Tolerance towards conventional antigens
• Autoimmunity: etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
• Tumor immunology and immunotherapy