Biotechnologies

Activity type

Discipline biotecnologiche comuni

SSD

MED/04

Year

3rd year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

3

Hours distribution

24 classroom hours

Lecturers

GIOVANNI BERNARDINI
ROSSELLA PAOLINI

Activity type

Attività formative affini o integrative

SSD

MED/46

Year

3rd year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

3

Hours distribution

36 laboratory hours

Lecturers

ROSSELLA PAOLINI
GIOVANNI BERNARDINI

This course is aimed at understanding the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response and the fundamental mechanisms responsible for its protective functions as well as the scientific-experimental methodologies used for the study of these mechanisms. The student will comprehend the biotechnological basis of innovative drugs (including recombinant cytokines and monoclonal antibodies) used to modulate the immune response as well as the main strategies for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

At the end of the course the student will be able to know:
- the different components of the Immune System and the mechanisms underlying their functioning;
- the relationship between microorganisms and host in human infections;
- the biotechnological bases of the innovative drugs that are emerging, based on recombinant cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, gene manipulation of the immune response and monoclonal antibodies;
- the characteristics of the main prophylactic vaccines against microbes and therapeutic vaccines against tumors, based on molecular biology and genetics.

Although no requirements are expected, the student must have basic skills on cellular and molecular biology, as well elements on human anatomy, histology and microbiology.
Students are allowed to take the exam if they have already passed all required first-year courses the only exceptions being the English course and the course of "General microbiology, microbial biotechnology and elements of medical microbiology" for which there is an additional module to pass during the second academic year.

Integrated program with Prof. Bernardini

Properties and overview of immune response: natural and adaptive immune responses, the molecular basis of antigenicity.
Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues. Leukocyte circulation and migration into tissues.
Molecular basis of recognition by the innate immune system.
The antigen and the molecules involved in antigen recognition.
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC). General characteristics of genes and genomic organization of the major histocompatibility complex; structure of MHC molecules. Structural basis of binding of peptides to MHC molecules. Cell biology of antigen processing and physiological significance of antigen presentation in association to MHC.
The T cell receptor (TCR) and the B cell receptor (BCR): structural features.
Antibodies. Molecular structure. Chemical and structural basis of antigen/antibody binding.
The monoclonal antibodies: main applications in research and in the clinic.
Lymphocyte development and antigen receptor gene rearrangement.
The activation of T and B lymphocytes. Signal transduction by the antigen receptor complex of T and B lymphocytes. Costimulatory receptors in T and B cells. The functional consequences of signal transduction by the antigen receptor complex in T and B cells.
The role of helper T cells in determining the nature of the immune response. Antibody response.
Effector mechanisms of humoral responses. Antibody effector functions. The complement system. Cytokines, cytokine receptors and signaling.
Effector cell-mediated mechanisms. Cytotoxic cells: cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells, mechanisms of cytolysis. Macrophages activation: phagocytosis and cytolysis.
Principles of vaccination and strategies for vaccine development.

Material shown during lectures.

The texts recommended for the preparation of specific topics are:
Abbas A.K., Lichtman A. H., Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Tenth edition, Elsevier, 2021;
Parham P. The immune system. Fifth Edition, WW Norton, 2021;
Murphy K. and Weaver C. IMMUNOBIOLOGY of Janeway. Ninth edition, Garland Science, 2017.

Module: Immunology I
N/D
Module: Immunology II
N/D

The Immunology course, integrated with Prof. Bernardini, includes a total of 60 hours of teaching ow which 36 hours of lessons and 24 hours of laboratory or integrative more practical activities. In this regard, the students will be divided into small groups (around 10 students/group).
All material will be made available on the Moodle platform.

Module: Immunology I
N/D
Module: Immunology II
N/D

Progress test at the end of the course to assess the level of preparation achieved.
Oral exam with open stimulus and open answer.
The objective of the test consists in verifying the level of achievement of the previously indicated training objectives.

During the course multiple choice self-assessment quizzes will be carried out to assess the level of learning achieved.
Typical questions are: How do antibodies assist in the elimination of microbes by phagocytes?; Describe the sequence of events by which class I and class II MHC molecules acquire antigens for display; What are the differences in the types of antigen recognized by antibodies and TCRs?; What is the physiological significance of costimulation?

Module: Immunology I
N/D
Module: Immunology II
N/D