Immunology and Immunopathology

- To learn the organization and functioning of the immune system, its cells and its mediators;
- to learn the essential steps of the ontogenesis of the immune system, and its changes in the course of life (intrauterine life, newborn, adult life, elderly);
- to learn the defense mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and helminths;
- to understand the role of the immune system in pregnancy, blood transfusions, transplant rejection and in the control of tumor growth;
- to explain the pathogenesis of main immunopathological conditions, including hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, immunodeficiencies;
- to understand the working principles of vaccines and main immunotherapeutic approaches;
- to explain the principles of diagnostic tests based on immunological techniques.

At the end of the course the students will be able to:
- describe the organization of the immune system and the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immune responses;
- understand the mechanisms underlying the immune response against infections and tumors;
- demonstrate to know the mechanisms underlying the immune dysfunction occurring in pathological conditions such as hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, primary and secondary immunodeficiencies;
- describe changes in the immune system occurring during pregnancy and aging;
- apply the acquired knowledge to understand the mechanism of action of vaccines and main immunotherapeutic approaches;
- describe the working principles of vaccines and main immunotherapeutic approaches;
- acquire a correct terminology to describe the examined processes.