Class Immunology

Immunology, in addition to being a basic discipline in university education in Health courses, is central to Pharmaceutical Sciences. To understand the development and performance of vaccines, immunomodulatory drugs and immunotherapies, it is necessary for students to understand the fundamentals of the immune response and the pathologies resulting from its dysfunction.  This course allows students to develop practical and analytical skills, which are very useful in the job market, master's and doctoral courses, chemical-pharmaceutical research, pathology and diagnostic laboratories, clinical trials, among others. In addition, obtaining, using, and interpreting data, along with problem solving, are crucial components of this course. The active participation of students during the seminars will certainly develop their methodological skills in the context of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Immunology.    

Not applicable

    1. Introduction to Immunology and Innate Immunity     History of immunology, its importance, and basic concepts     Organs, cells, receptors, and molecules essential for the functioning of the immune system     Innate immunity and inflammation:     The complement system     The inflammatory response and the initiation of the adaptive immune response   2. Adaptive Immunity  Antigen receptors and the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC):  Organization and expression of lymphocyte receptor genes  The Major Histocompatibility Complex and antigen presentation     Development of T and B lymphocytes     Activation, differentiation, and generation of immunological memory     Antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity   3. The Immune System in Health and Disease Allergies, hypersensitivity, and chronic inflammation Tolerance, autoimmunity, and transplantation Infectious diseases and vaccines   4. Scientific Literacy, Communication, and Misinformation in Immunology  

To enhance student engagement, innovative teaching methodologies based on active learning will be implemented, including interactive activities, case-based discussions, formative assessment, and clinically and pharmacologically relevant examples. During lectures, students will use educational games (ImmunoGames) developed by previous cohorts and the lecturer to reinforce knowledge, encourage participation, peer interaction, and critical thinking. A flipped classroom approach will be adopted in practical classes, where students prepare and present selected course topics, followed by peer assessment and self-assessment to promote autonomy, critical reflection, and collaborative learning. In the practical component, students will design and develop new ImmunoGames, strengthening knowledge consolidation, creativity, teamwork, and scientific communication while producing educational resources for future cohorts.  

1. Janeway, C.A. et al, Immunobiology (2022), 10 th Ed., Garland Science. 2. Goldsby, R.A. et al.(2018), Kuby Immunology, 8th Ed., New York, W.H. Freeman & Company Eds. 3. Robert R. Rich MD. Et al., Clinical Immunology Principles and Practice (2019), Elsevier Limited. 4. Abbas, A.K., Lichtman, A.H.(2021), Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 10 th Ed., Elsevier/Saunders. 5. Arosa, F.A., Cardoso, E.M., Pacheco, F.C. (2014) Fundamentos de Imunologia (2º ed) Lidel.