Immunology

Code: BIO12417L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

1. Understanding of the functional homeostasis in animals through the immunological system. Life support.
2. Study of the organs, cells and molecules responsible for the immune responses.
3. Understanding of the immune mechanisms for the discrimination of self and non-self.
4. Laboratory exercises for the study of the immune responses of animals.

1. Theoretical programme
a. Introduction to the immune system. General aspects.
b. Components of the immune system
c. Antigens and antibodies
d. Gene organisation and expression of immunoglobulins
e. Immune responses
f. Effector mechanisms of the immune response
g. The immune system in the health and disease
h. Monoclonal antibodies
i. Experimental immunology
2. Laboratory programme
a. Introduction. Programming of the course
b. Experimental immunisation
c. Purification of immunoglobulins
d. Test to the students natural immunity
e. Immunoprecipitation techniques
f. Observation of blood cells
g. ELISA
h. Autonomous laboratory work: goat immunisation and its characterisation

Teaching Methods

1. Theoretical presentations
2. Bench working according with predefined technical protocols
3. Oriented free laboratory work
4. Monograph presentations as public posters
Evaluation Methodology:
- Theoretical component (70%) - Continuous assessment written tests (2 frequencies) or final exams,
- Monographic component (20%) - Monograph on theme to be agreed with the students.
- Attendance (10%) - Attendance registration in all theoretical and practical.