72834 - Immunology and Pathology

Learning outcomes

Students will have an understanding of pathology and general causes of diseases: genetic diseases, cell and tissue injury (chemical, physical and biological causes, mechanisms and consequences), the body reaction to injury (acute and chronic inflammation, regeneration and healing), physiology of the Immune system (innate and acquired immunity, antibodies, B and T lymphocytes), oncology (genetic and cell mechanisms underlying spontaneous and experimental neoplasm development), cardiovascular pathology.

Course contents

Introduction to Pathology. The concept of health and disease, of aging, of etiology. Basis of medical terminology.

Cellular pathology. Cellular adaptations, reversible cell injury, apoptosis and necrosis. Inflammatory-reparative response. Etiology and classification of acute inflammation, chemical mediators, vascular changes and exudate formation, cellular events and phagocytosis. Chronic and granulomatous inflammation, tissue repair and wound healing, fibrosis. Systemic manifestations of inflammation: acute phase response and fever.

Diseases of immunity. Cells and tissues of the immune system. The complement system. Antigens and antibodies. Histocompatibility molecules. Hypersensitivity reactions. Transplant rejection. Immunologic tolerance. Mechanisms of autoimmune diseases.

Genetic diseases. Cytogenetic disorders involving autosomes and sex chromosomes. Transmission patterns of single-gene diseases: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked disorders. Disorders with multifactorial inheritance.

Neoplasia. Characteristics of benign and malignant neoplasms. Tumour classification. The molecular basis of cancer. The multistep process of carcinogenesis. Metastasis. Molecular markers in solid tumors.

Readings/Bibliography

Celotti F., "Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia", 2a edizione, Edises

Kumar V., Abbass A.K., Fausto N., Aster J.C. “Robbins - Fondamenti di Patologia e Fisiopatologia”, 9a edizione, Elsevier Italia 2010

Albi E., Ambesi-Impiombato F.S., Curcio F., Moncharmont B., Palese A. "Le Basi Cellulari e Molecolari delle Malattie". Edizioni Idelson-Gnocchi.

Pontieri G.M. "Elementi di Patologia Generale". Edizioni Piccin.

Teaching methods

5 CFUs will be organized as lectures. 1 CFU of Laboratory will be devoted to the following practical activities:

- Reading the results obtained from molecular analysis of MSI

- Reading results obtained from molecular analysis of NGS

- Reading results obtained from methylation molecular analysis

- Reading of results obtained from FISH analysis

- Histopathological analysis using virtual slides that will cover: vacuolar degeneration and steatosis, coagulative and colliquative necrosis, acute inflammation, granulation tissue, chronic inflammation (tubercular and foreign body granuloma), atherosclerosis, benign and malignant neoplasms.

Assessment methods

The verification of learning is done through an examination designed to test the acquisition of the knowledge covered in the course syllabus.

The examination may be taken in written or oral form

The written test will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions (0.5 points per question), 2 open-ended questions (7.5 points per question), and one question related to the laboratory portion (1 point). Duration of the test: 75 minutes. The EOL online platform (www.eol.unibo.it) will be used to take the exam. Those who cannot take the test via EOL are asked to notify by email at least a couple of days before the test is to be held.

In order to take the examination test, registration via electronic bulletin board is required, in accordance with the deadlines. Those who fail to register by the scheduled date are required to promptly (and in any case before the official closing of the registration lists) communicate the problem directly to the lecturer, who will be entitled to admit them to take the test.

The oral examination will consist of two open questions and one of the molecular analyses covered in class. All questions must be answered at least sufficiently to pass the test.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supplied on informatic supports (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Dario De Biase