Immunity and Environment

Code: CMS11889M

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Biochemistry

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

3. Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

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

5. Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

8. Trabalho digno e crescimento económico - Promover o crescimento económico sustentado, inclusivo e sustentável, emprego pleno e produtivo, e trabalho decente para todos.

10. Reduzir as desigualdades - Reduzir as desigualdades dentro dos países e entre eles.

Learning Goals

This course shall prepare students to discuss, interpret, describe and analyze environmental data relevant to the development of allergic diseases. By the end of this course the students should be able to:
• Understand and explain the fundamental mechanisms of allergen and pollutant interaction with the immune system;
• Recognize the characteristics of allergic conditions;
• Identify and describe the major Environmental risk factors for exposure;
• Assess the exposure risk levels for different environmental allergens;
• Inform and advise public authorities on the protective measures to be implemented to diminish the exposure risk to allergens and pollutants;
• Organize information in a coherent and logical manner;
• To communicate ideas and scientific information, both in oral and written format.

I Fundamental Mechanisms in Immunity:
• Cells from the imune system;
• Mediators and antibodies;
II Environment and imune system Interactions:
• Mechanisms of Hypersensitity allergic disease;
• Allergens Structure and function;
• Allergens and cross reactions;
• Allergenicity mechanisms of allergens;
• Air pollutants (indoor e outdoor) and hypersensitivity reactions;
III Environmental allergens:
• Acari, animal epithelia, fungal spores and pólen
• Sampling methodologies and thecniques for detection, quantification and monitoring;
• Exposures and health impacts risk assessment;
• Environmental risk factos climate change and geographical factors;
• Risk prevention and forecast;
IV - Common Allergic Diseases
V - Occupational and Environmental Allergy
VI Other hypersensitivity conditions

Teaching Methods

Lectures given in: a) Lectures with presentation of the state of the art and analysis of small case studies, using presentation support; b) analysis of case-studies and results from the literature and laboratory sessions for allergen identification. Practical examples and theoretical concepts will be articulated and supported by the discussion of subjects and case-studies.

Assessment

Evaluation is an instrument of self-regulation and continuous improvement. The results of the assessment should show, in addition to the acquisition of knowledge and its application, the level of development of the required competences, skills, attitudes and values recommended. Students will be able to choose between a continuous assessment or a final exam according to RAUÉ. Continuous assessment will integrate elements of individual and group assessment. The individual assessment is based on the completion of training tests throughout the semester, which allows the assessment of the level of learning acquired, namely, the integration of biomedical and environmental concepts, scientific rigor, the acquisition of scientific terminology and the ability to apply it in problem solving. The result obtained in the training tests will count on 20%.
The group evaluation will be based on the project work carried out in the practical classes. The project will be developed in a group, promoting collaborative work, project-based learning and the development of skills and attitudes for teamwork. At the end, the group should prepare a final report in the format of a scientific article (40%) and an oral presentation (30%), which allows the ability to work in a team and the clarity of oral and written communication to be assessed.
In the continuous assessment component, attendance and punctuality in theoretical-practical and practical laboratory classes will contribute to the assessment and will have a weighting of 10% in the final grade.
Thus, the classification will be calculated as follows:
Final Grade = Formative Exams*0.20 + Ass-Pont*0.10 + Project*0.70.
The evaluation by exam will also have individual and group evaluation components. The project work (group evaluation) with the characteristics described above will have a weighting of 30% and the final written test (individual evaluation) will have a weighting of 70%, with the final grade being calculated as follows:
Final Grade = Final Exam*0.30 + Project*0.70