Ateneo - UPO

Skin immunity and pathogenesis of selected disorders affecting the skin and the skin appendages.

The slides of the lectures including bibliography, namely selected scientific papers published by top ranking journals on the topic.

- Gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of skin immunity and of the pathological mechanisms underpinning the most common skin disorders.
- Gain independence of judgment on the different topics addressed during the course, logically linking concepts and knowledge together.
- Gain skills regarding the verbal and written communication by the use of specific scientific and technical language.
- Gain understanding the molecular targets of drugs in current clinical use and under study

Physiology, anatomy and general pathology are strongly recommended.

Lectures. Occasionally interactive methods like flipped classroom activity based on journal club discussion

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff "Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti", consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam will be a written test composed of 2 open questions (answers of approximately 150-200 words maximum) and 8 multiple choice and true/false questions (with one true answer). The questions will be aimed at evaluating knowledge and understanding of the topics addressed during the lecturers and the ability to discuss them critically and concisely by using specific scientific and technical language. Students will be invited to prepare and discuss a journal club regarding the topics discussed during the lectures. Who accepts might be awarded with a maximum score of 3 points, which will be added to the score of the written test. Two exam sessions are scheduled during the months of February, June-July and September.

Skin immunity: overview of the immunological anatomy of the epidermis and derma under steady state and skin disorders. Immunomodulatory activities of commensal skin microbiota and neuro-immune interactions.
Infectious skin diseases: clinical features and pathogenic mechanisms underpinning the most common bacterial, fungal and viral skin infections.
Inflammatory skin disorders: pathogenesis, current therapeutic options and new potential therapeutic targets of the major autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases, including alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis.
Wound healing: the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying wound healing and its complications.

In keeping with the Dublin Descriptors
D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will demonstrate that he has learned and understood the pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of the main diseases affecting the skin and the skin appendages. The student will acquire the specific scientific terminology.
D2- APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will gain the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in order to 1) understand the therapeutic effects of drugs that are in current clinical use 2) identify new potential therapeutic targets 3) develop new drugs directed towards specific molecular/cell targets
D3- MAKING JUDGEMENTS The student will gain knowledge to read the literature independently and critically.
D4- COMUNICATION SKILLS The student will demonstrate that he has acquired the specific scientific terminology to discuss the acquired knowledge both in the academic and industrial fields. The student will develop the ability to disseminate the acquired knowledge in a clear and understandable way even to an audience of non-experts
D5- LEARNING SKILLS The student will be able to examine and interpret scientific texts, so as to go beyond what has been taught, facing and solving new challenges, that will allow him to expand his knowledge in an autonomous and critical way.