Immunity and Environment

Code: CMS11889M

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Biochemistry

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

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

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

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

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

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

Students will be submitted to a continuous evaluation or a final examination, according to the Internal School Regulations. Final score results from the average of the score on the 2 written tests, incorporating the theoretical and practical components. Alternatively, each student can apply for a final examination. Final score will be between 0-20.