Ateneo - UPO

The course gives basic knowledge of immunology with special consideration to the importance of the immune system in allergies, autoimmune diseases and how immune dysregulation in these disease may be linked to food and gut microbiota.

Scientific articles and reviews will be provided during lectures. - Suggested books Kuby Immunology, ed 8th. W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd; Janeway "Immunobiology" - ed. Garland Science. These books are available at the library of UPO for consultation (https://upo.sebina.it/opac/query/)

The aim of this course is to provide a general overview of the immune system, its components, their role in diseases with special consideration to the importance of nutrition and gut microbiota in immunology.

Basic knowledge of the principles of Molecular and Cell Biology; Biochemistry; Genetics; Histology; General Physiology.

Frontal lectures (power point slide). - PowerPoint slides will be provided and will be available on the website (DIR) of UPO. Scientific articles and reviews will be provided during lectures.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and support by contacting the Student Services and Career Development Office and consulting the dedicated University webpage: https://uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-disabilities-and-sldAfter contacting the University Support Office, students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN are encouraged to contact the course instructor to discuss any necessary accommodations regarding examination procedures and other teaching-related aspects.

At the end of the course, a comprehensive review session will be held to revisit the most important topics covered during the lectures.The final examination consists of a written test comprising 31 multiple-choice questions, designed to assess the student's ability to integrate and apply the concepts covered throughout the course.Examination results are graded on a 31-point scale, ranging from 18/31 (minimum passing grade), with to 30 cum laude (maximum grade, awarded for correctly answering all questions).The final grade is determined jointly by all instructors responsible for the individual modules and is calculated as the average of the module grades.Passing the integrated examination is conditional upon achieving a passing grade in both modules. If a passing grade is not obtained in either module, the entire examination must be retaken.

-Review of the basic concepts of immunology learned during the Bachelor degree (innate and adaptive immunity, cells and organs of immune system, antigen recognition by B-cell and T cells, MHC I and II molecules) - IMMUNOPATHOGENESIS: 1.Allergy and hypersensitivity 2.Food tolerance and food allergy (pathogenetic mechanisms) 3.Diagnostic test of food allergies 4.Autoimmune diseases: organic and systemic, antibody and cell-mediated 5. Examples of autoimmune disease and pathogenetic mechanism 6. Etiology of autoimmune disease (environmental factors: infection and nutrition) 7. Introduction to gut microbiota: composition, diversity, concepts of dysbiosis and eubiosis 8. Impact of diet and life style on microbiota 9. Microbiota and allergy 10. Gut-brain axis and role in autoimmunity 11. Microbiota revolution (personalized medicine): pre -and probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) Gender mainstreaming: approaches to grant equal benefits in actions and activities for women and mens and for eliminating gender inequalities.

According to the Dublin DescriptorsD1 – Knowledge and UnderstandingStudents will acquire knowledge and understanding of the immunopathogenic mechanisms underlying disease processes. They will also develop the ability to use appropriate scientific terminology to describe and discuss these mechanisms accurately.D2 – Applying Knowledge and UnderstandingStudents will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to disciplines requiring an understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying disease. These competencies will support their activities in diagnostic and research laboratories.D3 – Making JudgementsStudents will develop the ability to critically and independently analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying pathological processes and to formulate informed scientific judgments based on available evidence.D4 – Communication SkillsStudents will acquire the ability to communicate the knowledge gained using appropriate scientific terminology, enabling them to engage professionally and effectively in academic and professional settings. They will develop mastery of the terminology related to disease pathogenesis and will also be able to explain complex concepts clearly and effectively to non-specialist audiences.D5 – Learning SkillsStudents will develop the ability to use the teaching materials provided to undertake a critical and reasoned study of the topics covered during the course. They will also be able to independently expand and update their knowledge through the critical reading of textbooks and scientific literature related to the subjects addressed in the course,t finally to autonomously formulate hypotheses on connections between microbiota and human diseases.