General Pathology and Immunology

The integrated course of General Pathology and Immunology aims to train graduates in Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical curriculum, with adequate knowledge and skills on the molecular and pathological mechanisms underlying diseases and its resolution.
The General Pathology and Immunology lessons will provide students with the elements to study the mechanisms underlying the disease with a look at the therapeutic approaches in progress and in development. In particular, the course will focus on aetiology (cause of disease), pathogenesis (cellular and molecular mechanisms) and biological and molecular bases of infectious or non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, the course will provide the basic knowledge on the mechanisms of innate and acquired immune host responses.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cell injury, adaptation and death, as well as acute and chronic inflammatory processes.
· Describe the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate immune system function under physiological and pathological conditions, including hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases.
· Explain the major cellular and molecular alterations involved in the onset and progression of neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious and genetic diseases.
· Illustrate the aetiology, pathogenesis, signs and symptoms of the main respiratory diseases and hepatitis.
· Interpret and correlate the pathogenetic mechanisms common to the different disease categories covered in the course.
· Use scientific and biomedical terminology appropriately.
· Collaborate effectively in group activities aimed at integrating and correlating the main pathological processes.