Course guide of Immunology (20011A4)

• To have taken the subjects of Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Animal Physiology.
• To have adequate knowledge of English to follow the classes and understand scientific texts.
• In the case of using AI tools for the development of the subject, the student must adopt an ethical and responsible use of them. The recommendations contained in the document ‘Recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in the UGR’ published in this location must be followed: https://ceprud.ugr.es/formacion-tic/inteligencia-artificial/recomendaciones-ia#contenido0
• Students will be informed by the teaching staff responsible for their training and information of the risks to which they may be exposed and their prevention through the person responsible for the Department designated for this purpose, following the guide to preventive measures in laboratories and workshops and measures to be followed in the event of an accident drawn up by the ugr. (https://ssp.ugr.es/informacion/noticias/medidas-preventivas-generales-laboratorios-talleres)
• As far as possible, the telematic route will be used in person using the PRADO tool, in order to save paper and contribute to a greater extent to the UGR's sustainability plan.

• General characteristics of the Immune System.
• Antigen receptors
• Nonspecific response.
• Inflammation
• Specific response.
• Immunopathology.
• Identification and collection of lymphoid organs.
• Identification of leukocyte subpopulations.
• Functional study of phagocytosis in peritoneal macrophages.
• Immuno-detection of proteins: Dot-Blotting.

Specifics of the subject

• To know the elements, cells and organs of the immune system.
• To know and understand the types of immune response and the effector and regulatory mechanisms involved in each one. mechanisms involved in each one of them.
• To know the mechanisms involved in the main diseases of the immune system.
• Immune System.
• To know the main drugs that modulate the immune response, and the role of Immunology in the research and Immunology in pharmaceutical research and development.
• To learn the basic immunological techniques used in research and diagnostic laboratories.
• research and diagnostic laboratories.
• To know the elements, cells and organs of the Immune System.
• To know and understand the types of immune response and the effector and regulatory mechanisms involved in each one. mechanisms involved in each one of them.
• To know the mechanisms involved in the main diseases of the immune system. Immune System.
  To know the main drugs that modulate the immune response and the role of Immunology in research. Immunology in research.
• To learn the basic immunological techniques used in research and diagnostic laboratories. research and diagnostic laboratories.

This programme is designed for students to acquire the basic theoretical and practical content of the subject, taking into account issues of gender bias and diversity and incorporating an inclusive perspective into the subject. The introduction discusses the biases that have influenced gender inequalities as they have evolved throughout the development of research and how they are being corrected today. The influence of women researchers in the field of immunology is also highlighted and included.

A) CELLS AND ORGANS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

• 0. Course introduction. Working methodologies and assessment criteria. Introduction to Immunology: Historical perspective.
• 1. General concepts in immunology. Types of immune responses. Clonality and immunological memory.
• 2. Hematopoiesis. Progenitor cells of the immune system. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Germinal centers, lymphocyte migration, and recirculation.

B) INNATE IMMUNITY

• 3. Physical, chemical, and cellular barriers. Innate immunity receptors. Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs). Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). Receptor families.
• 4. The inflammatory response. Phases of inflammation. Initiation of the inflammatory response. Mast cells and basophils. Inflammatory mediators.
• 5. Leukocyte recruitment to the inflammatory focus. Chemokines and their receptors. Leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction. Adhesion molecules. Cytokines: General characteristics and role in inflammation. Acute-phase proteins.
• 6. Neutrophils and macrophages. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria.
• 7. The Complement System I. Complement activation. Classical pathway. Alternative pathway. Lectin pathway.
• 8. The Complement System II. Complement regulation. Functions of complement. Complement pathology.
• 9. NK cells. Activating and inhibitory receptors of NK cells. Lytic function of NK cells.

C) ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY

• 10. Immunogenicity and antigenicity. Antigens, epitopes, haptens, and adjuvants.
• 11. Immunoglobulin structure. Domains and spatial organization of immunoglobulins (Igs). Isotypes.
• 12. Functions of immunoglobulins.
• 13. Genetics of immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulin genes. Mechanisms of antibody diversity generation.
• 14. B-cell differentiation and maturation. Expression and regulation of immunoglobulin genes during B-cell development in the bone marrow. B-cell selection.
• 15. General organization of the MHC. Types of HLA antigens. Structure of HLA antigens. MHC genetics. Polymorphisms of HLA molecules.
• 16. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Antigen processing and presentation: Cytosolic and endocytic pathways. Antigen-presenting cells. MHC restriction of the immune response.
• 17. Biochemistry and genetics of the TCR. Structure of the TCR/CD3 complex. α/β TCR and γ/δ TCR. TCR genes. Recombination mechanisms and generation of diversity.
• 18. T-cell differentiation and maturation in the thymus. Apoptosis in the thymus. Generation of central tolerance. Positive and negative selection.
• 19. T-cell activation. Activation signaling pathways. Accessory molecules and co-stimulatory signals. Superantigens.
• 20. Differentiation of Th cells into Th1, Th2, and Th17 subsets: Generation, function, and the role of cytokines.
• 21. B-cell activation. The B-cell receptor (BCR) and B-cell co-receptor. Changes in immunoglobulin structure and function during the immune response. B-cell response to T-dependent and T-independent antigens.

D) IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST DIFFERENT TYPES OF PATHOGENS

• 22. The Microbiome. Antimicrobial agents. Soluble epithelial factors protecting against pathogens.
• 23. Immune response to extracellular pathogens. Antibody production against bacterial antigens. Granuloma induction. Response to helminths and fungi. ILC1 and ILC2 (Innate Lymphoid Cells).
• 24. Immune response to intracellular pathogens: Viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc. Action of Type I Interferons (alpha and beta). Lymphocyte-mediated effector mechanisms. Characteristics of effector and memory T cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Cytotoxicity mechanisms of CTLs and NK cells.

E) REGULATION, ADAPTATION, AND EVOLUTION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

• 25. Peripheral immune tolerance. Mechanisms of immunosuppression. Anergy. Inhibitory receptors. Regulatory T cells (Tregs).
• 26. Regional and reproductive immunology.
• 27. Tumor immunology. Tumor antigens. Tumor evasion mechanisms. Cancer immunotherapy.
• 28. Comparative immunology. Evolution of the immune system. Alternative immune systems.

F) CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY

• 29. Hypersensitivity reactions. Autoimmunity. Transplantation.
• 30. Primary immunodeficiencies (X-linked immunodeficiencies and autosomal immunodeficiencies) and secondary immunodeficiencies (HIV and AIDS).
• 31. First and second-generation monoclonal antibodies. Diagnostic applications. Therapeutic applications.
• 32. Vaccines. General principles. Active and passive immunization. Types of vaccines.

Seminars/Workshops

1. Antibody production: monoclonal antibodies. Adaptation of monoclonal antibodies for use in humans. Monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic use. Treatment of Tumors.
2. Hypersensitivity reactions. Types of hypersensitivity. Immediate hypersensitivity mediated by IgE (Type I). Antibody-mediated hypersensitivity (Type II). Immunocomplex-mediated hypersensitivity (Type III). Cellular or delayed hypersensitivity (Type IV). delayed hypersensitivity (Type IV).
3. Primary immunodeficiencies. Types. Characteristics. X-linked immunodeficiencies and X chromosome and autosomal immunodeficiencies.

Laboratory practicals

1. Identification of antigens in suspension cells by flow cytometry.
2. Identification of lymphoid organs and lymphocyte extraction. Phagocytosis assay of peritoneal macrophages.
3. Protein immuno-detection: dot-blotting.

A.K. Abbas, A.H. Lichtman and S. Pillai. Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Updated Edition, 9th ed. Elsvier 2018.

Abul K. Ababas, Andrew H. Ltchtman J, Shiv Pillai. Basic Immunology, 6th Edition, Elsvier 2019.

Peter Parham, The Immune system International Student Edition. 5th Edition. Norton 2021.

K. Murphy, C. Weaver, L. Berg, Janaways's Immunology 10th Edition, Norton 2022.

Kenneth Murphy,& Casey T. Weaver. Janeway's Immunobiology. Garlan Science. New york and London. 9th edition 2020.

Judith A. Owen, Jenni Punt, Sharon A. Stranford, Patricia P. Jones. Kuby Immunology. 8ª edition. Macmillan Learning S.A. 14-2020.m

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL (REVIEWS):

• Current Opinion in Immunology
• Immunology
• Immunological Reviews
• Nature Immunology
• The Journal of Immunology
• Trends in Immunology
• Immunology Today
• Frontiers in Immunology

BiteSized Immunology (English/ Spanish): Immunology fact sheets from the British Society of Immunology.

https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology

Website of the Spanish Society of Immunology (SEI): access to outreach, education and webinars:

https://www.inmunologia.org

Pages with divulgation topics in Immunology:

http://www.cellsalive.com/toc_immun.htm
http://www.bioinf.org.uk/abs/
https://www.rndsystems.com/research-area/immunology

National Library of Medicine, EEUU: biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Immunology videos:

https://immunology.utoronto.ca/immunology-videos

• MD01. Lección magistral/expositiva 
• MD03. Resolución de problemas y estudio de casos prácticos 
• MD04. Prácticas de laboratorio y/o clínicas y/o talleres de habilidades 
• MD07. Seminarios 
• MD10. Realización de trabajos en grupo 
• MD11. Realización de trabajos individuales 

The final grade will be calculated by weighting the marks obtained in the different assessment activities as follows:

• Final examination (70% of the final grade): The examination may consist of multiple-choice, essay, and/or short-answer questions assessing theoretical knowledge. Students must obtain a minimum mark of 5/10 for this component to contribute to the final grade. The final theory mark will be based either on the final examination or on the combined marks from the mid-term examination and the second part of the final examination. Students who obtain a mark of 6/10 or higher in the mid-term examination will be exempt from the corresponding theoretical section of the final examination.

• Laboratory practicals (10% of the final grade): Practical skills and competences will be assessed by means of an in-class or online multiple-choice test delivered during class or through the PRADO platform. A minimum mark of 5/10 is required for this component to contribute to the final grade. Attendance at all laboratory practical sessions is mandatory in order to pass the module.

• Seminars (15% of the final grade): Seminar participation forms part of the continuous assessment and is mandatory. Assessment will be based on an oral presentation and active participation in seminar sessions. A minimum mark of 5/10 is required for this component to contribute to the final grade. Attendance at seminars is mandatory in order to pass the module.

• Attendance and participation (5% of the final grade): Attendance and active participation in all teaching activities, including lectures, seminars, and laboratory practicals, will be assessed. A minimum mark of 5/10 is required for this component to contribute to the final grade.

Whenever possible, teaching and assessment activities will be delivered through the PRADO platform in order to minimise paper use and contribute to the University of Granada's sustainability objectives.

Students who have completed the training activities during the course may choose to take only the exam of theory (70%). The mark will be weighted with the rest of the grades obtained during the course as indicated in the ordinary exam. Only marks of 5 out of 10 will be added to the final mark.

Students who so wish may opt for the full assessment of the course, comprising:

- Theory exam, 70% of the mark
- Seminars and laboratory exam , 30% of the final mark

In order for the various parts of the exam to be included in the final mark, each must achieve a minimum mark of 5 out of 10.

Students with special needs (SEN) should contact the teaching staff responsible for the subject in order to adapt the subject and assessment to their needs sufficiently in advance.

Students opting for the single assessment will sit a theoretical and practical examination for the module, which covers theory, seminars and laboratory practicals.

The exam will preferably be held in person, at the same time and under the same conditions as for students on the continuous assessment scheme. The final mark will be based on the following:

- Theory exam: 75% of the final mark
- Seminar exam: 15% of the final mark
- Laboratory practicals exam: 10% of the final mark.

To add the different parts toguehter, the students must have a minimum mark of 5 out of 10 each.

Students with single final assessment will have up to 1 additional hour of exam time.
Students who opt for a single final evaluation must communicate this in advance to the professor in charge of the subject.
Students of single evaluation will take the exam in the ordinary or extraordinary call indicated by the Faculty of Sciences, for the Degree of Biology. Otherwise, they will be summoned 10 days in advance.

According to Article 6.2 of the Regulations for Evaluation and Grading of Students of the UGR, the evaluation will be preferably continuous, understanding as such, the diversified evaluation that is established in this Teaching Guide of the subject. However, it is contemplated the realization of a single final assessment to those students who cannot comply with the continuous evaluation method due to work reasons, health condition, disability or any other duly justified cause, that prevents them from following the continuous evaluation system.
To take advantage of the single final evaluation, the student must request it to the Director of the Department through the UGR registry, and duly justified, in the first two weeks of the course. This single final evaluation will consist of a theoretical assay (75% of the grade) and a practical assay (25% of the grade).

In case of special incidences, due to exceptional and justified causes, that prevent the student from attending the day of the final exam, partial exam or delivery of the rest of the activities, the student must contact the professor to arrange another date for the exam. The system, criteria and weighting of the grade will be the same as previously described in this point, depending on the exam conditions of each student or type of exam. The incidence must be officially and duly justified.
Following the recommendations of the CRUE and the Secretariat of Inclusion and Diversity of the UGR, the systems of acquisition and evaluation of competences included in this teaching guide will be applied according to the principle of design for all people, facilitating the learning and demonstration of knowledge according to the needs and functional diversity of the students.