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Immunology

Code: 107516
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Biology OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Aura Muntasell Castellvi
Email :
aura.muntasell@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Javier Villanueva Iglesias

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

The student who has to study Immunology must have obtained the competences of learning in the subjects programmed by the first two courses of the Degree. It is advisable for the student to have knowledge about the structure and organization of animal organisms and their cellular systems. As well as knowledge of the structural and functional characteristics of biomolecules, the basic foundations of biochemistry, molecular biology and protein structure.

Objectives

Objectives of the subject:


At the end of the course, students must:


- Know the components of the immune system: molecules, cells and lymphoid organs.


- Understand the innate and adaptive immune response, humoral and cellular; the phases of the immune response and the regulation and homeostasis of the immune system.


- Know the communication between components of the immune system through blood and lymphatic traffic; and the anatomical location of the immune response.


- Apply the knowledge of the immune response in infections for viruses, bacteria, protozoa, helminths and fungi.


- Know the cellular and molecular immunological techniques applicable to the different biological systems.


- Know the basics of immunopathology.



The 6 ECTS of the subject of Immunology will be divided into three thematic blocks with specific learning competences, in addition to the laboratory practices that make up them all:



Block I. Basic immunology (2 ECTS)


- Know the components of the immune system: molecules, cells and lymphoid organs.


- Know the communication between components of the immune system through blood and lymphatic traffic.


- Know the concepts of innate immunity and specific immunity.


- Identify the elements that intervene in both responses.


- List and explain the structural and functional characteristics of each molecular and cellular component of innate and adaptive immunity.



Block II. Organization of the Immune Response (2 ECTS)


- Integrate the elements of the immune system in the three phases of the immune response: 1) activation phase; 2) effector phase; and 3) phase regulation and homeostasis of the immune response.


- Integrate the different phases of the immune response and its cellular components with the anatomical location of the same.


- To know the mechanisms that participate in the immune response against infections for viruses, bacteria, protozoa, helminths, fungi and tumor processes.


- Identify the evasion mechanisms used by pathogens against the immune system.



Block III. Applications of Immunology (1 ECTS)


- Know the cellular and molecular immunological techniques applicable to the different biological systems.


- To know how to apply the reactions of the immune system and its specificity to the biomolecular student, the diagnosis, the vaccines and the immunotherapy.


- Know the basics of dysfunctions of the immune system that originate immunopathologies and immunodeficiencies.


- To know the mechanisms of immunopathology for excess response (hypersensitivity), by default (immunodeficiencies) or by mistake (autoimmunity).




Learning outcomes

  • CM34 (Integrate theoretical and practical knowledge from the field of immunology to propose new methods or alternative solutions to societal problems.) Integrate theoretical and practical knowledge from the field of immunology to propose new methods or alternative solutions to societal problems.
  • CM35 (Assess sex/gender differences in immunological studies controlling for the sex of experimental material and sex/gender interactions.) Assess sex/gender differences in immunological studies controlling for the sex of experimental material and sex/gender interactions.
  • CM36 (Communicate effectively to a specialised and non-specialised audience the advances made in the knowledge of the immune system and new therapies.) Communicate effectively to a specialised and non-specialised audience the advances made in the knowledge of the immune system and new therapies.
  • KM48 (Define the components of the immune system, its structure, function and mechanisms of action.) Define the components of the immune system, its structure, function and mechanisms of action.
  • KM49 (Identify the levels of organisation of the immune system of living beings, relating its different components to the rest of the organism.) Identify the levels of organisation of the immune system of living beings, relating its different components to the rest of the organism.
  • KM50 (Interpret the functioning of the immune system and the interrelationships of the different levels of organisation.) Interpret the functioning of the immune system and the interrelationships of the different levels of organisation.
  • SM46 (Apply cellular markers for the identification and functional analysis of cells belonging to the immune system that allow the detection of pathologies associated with this system.) Apply cellular markers for the identification and functional analysis of cells belonging to the immune system that allow the detection of pathologies associated with this system.
  • SM47 (Carry out molecular and cellular experiments on the immune system, both in its basic aspects and as applied to diseases of the immune system.) Carry out molecular and cellular experiments on the immune system, both in its basic aspects and as applied to diseases of the immune system.

Contents

Block I. Basic Immunology: Components of the Immune System (3 ECTS)


Introduction


TOPIC 1: Introduction: Overview of the Immune System. Basic concepts.


TOPIC 2: Self and non-self recognition by the immune system.


TOPIC 3: Cells of the Immune System.


TOPIC 4: Antibodies.


TOPIC 5: Anatomy of the Immune System.


Innate Immunity


TOPIC 6: Innate immunity: Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs).


TOPIC 7: Cells of the innate immune response: Phagocytes and inflammation.


TOPIC 8: Cells of the innate immune response: Natural Killer (NK) cells and Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs).


TOPIC 9: The Complement System.


TOPIC 10: Analytical Techniques in Immunology.


Adaptive Immunity


TOPIC 11: Organization and gene rearrangement of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes.


TOPIC 12: Development of B and T lymphocytes.


TOPIC 13: Antigen processing and presentation.


TOPIC 14: T-cell activation.


TOPIC 15: Effector T lymphocytes: T-cell subsets and their functions.


TOPIC 16: B-cell differentiation.


Block II. Organization of the Immune Response (2 ECTS)


TOPIC 17: Mucosal immunity.


TOPIC 18: Immune responses against pathogens.


TOPIC 19: Immunological tolerance.


TOPIC 20: Autoimmunity.


TOPIC 21: Antitumor immunity.


TOPIC 22: Immunodeficiencies.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Study 78 3.12 CM34, CM35, KM48, KM49, KM50
Realization of the laboratory notebook 8 0.32 CM34, KM50, SM46, SM47
Expositive classes (theory) 30 1.2 CM34, KM48, KM49, KM50, SM46
Laboratory practices 14 0.56 CM34, KM48, SM46, SM47
Preparation, presentation and discussion of seminars and cases 4 0.16 CM34, CM35, CM36, KM50, SM46
Problems resolution 9 0.36 CM34, CM35, CM36, KM48, KM49, KM50, SM46, SM47

The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities

The group for the lectures (theory) will be the total number of students enrolled.


For the classroom practices (seminars), there will be two groups, each with half of the students enrolled.


Classroom practices will be taught in 9 hours (9 hours for each of the two groups) in which various topics, cases or articles will be presented and discussed.



Expositive Classes:


The different subjects of the program will be taught in 30 hours. During the course, and within the exhibit classes, up to 3 seminars will be included that will be taught by experts in each subject.



Classroom practices (seminars):


Work will be scheduled for groups of 4-5 students, who will prepare them cooperatively. Some of them will be tracking topics that have emerged from the news of the daily press or the scientific press related to Immunology. Others will be subjects or clinical cases that teachers will prepare so that the students can develop their work. The information about each work and the application guidelines will be stored on the Virtual Campus (CV). The cases will be solved jointly in the classroom during 2–3 hour sessions. The assessment of the activity will be carried out through the submission of a rubric that will be provided in advance on the CV.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Final exam (recuperation ) 70% 3 0.12 CM34, CM36, KM48, KM49, KM50, SM46
Partial exam, part 2 35% 2 0.08 CM34, CM36, KM48, KM49, KM50, SM46
Partial exam, part 1 35% 2 0.08 CM34, CM36, KM48, KM49, KM50, SM46
Classroom and laboratory practices (presentation, content and discussion) 30% 0 0 CM34, CM35, CM36, KM50, SM46, SM47

The evaluation of the subject will be individual and continued through the following tests:


Partial examinations: two partial exams, at the end of Blocs I and IV (approximately). Each test will be worth 35% of the final mark. They will be test type questions with 5 options to choose one. In the correction, 1/5 of the value of each question will be subtracted by incorrect answer. The duration of each test will be of a maximum of 2 hours. The subject may be approved by partial, provided that the average between the two tests is 5, taking into account that the average can only be done with a minimum grade of 4 in one of the partial ones.


Classroom and laboratory practices (seminars): The seminars and laboratory activities help the development of the self-learning, synthesis and written and oral communication skills of the students. The assessment will represent 30% of the final mark of the subject and will be evaluated through written reports. It is mandatory to attend to classroom seminars and practical lab activities. Students will obtain the \"Non-Valuable\" qualification when the absence exceeds 20% of the programmed sessions.


Final Exam: A final exam will be scheduled for students who have not achieved the minimum necessary or who want to raise the mark. The two partials can be recovered separately or one of the two. The final exam will have a value of 70% of the subject that will add the percentage of note of the work of the seminars.


To participate in the recovery, the students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject or module.



Final evaluation:


1) Students who have obtained a minimum of 5 (out of 10) in each of the partial, will have 70% of the grade. The students must reach a minimum of 4 to each partial to be able to compensate the note with the other partial, provided that the final result is ≥5.


2) 30% of the mark corresponds to the evaluation of the presented works and laboratory practices.


3) Students who have not passed the two partial examinations can do the final exam. The assessment of this final exam will be by partial and will count 70% of the total mark (one or two partial tests can be done in the same exam). The note of the seminars (30%) will be added to this note.


4) The same calculation will be done by students who want to raise notes. If you choose to upload a note, the original note is not saved.


5) Non-submission to any of the tests must be justified.


UNIQUE ASSESSMENT

Those students who request it at the beginning of the year may take as a single assessment an examination of the total theoretical content of the subject at the time the second part is assessed. The grade of this single exam will count for 70% of the grade of the subject. This will be complemented with the marks from the laboratory practices and the classroom seminars that are mandatory for all students.

USE OF AI:

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a penalty in the activity grade or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Bibliography

English books:

Janeway’s Immunobiology by K Murphy, C. Weaver. Ltd/Garland Science, NY & London, 9th ed., (2017).

Kuby Immunology  by Judy Owen , Jenni Punt , Sharon Stranford. W.H. Freeman Co., 7 th ed, (2012).

Cellular and Molecular Immunology by Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman, Shiv Pillai. Saunders, 9 th ed, (2017).

Roitt's Essential Immunology, Peter J. DelvesSeamus J. MartinDennis R. BurtonIvan M. Roitt 9 th Edition  Elsevier Ed. (2017).

 

Spanish books:

Inmunobiología: El sistema inmunitario en condiciones de salud y enfermedad de C. Janeway Jr., P. Travers, L. Walport, M. J. Shlomchik. 4ª edición. Editorial Masson, S.A. Barcelona, (2003).

Inmunología Celular y Molecular de A.Abbas, W. Lichtman, R. Pober. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 5ª edición, (2004).

Introducción a la Inmunología Humana de L. Faimboim, J. Geffner. Ed Medica Panamericana, 5ª edición (2005).

Kuby Immunology (en español) by T.J. Kindt, R.A. Goldsby, B.A. Osborne. W.H. Freeman Co., 6 th ed, (2007).

Fundamentos de Inmunología de Roitt, I. M. Panamericana, 10ª ed. (2003).

Inmunología de I. Roitt, J. Brostoff, D. Male. Hartcourt Brace, 5ª ed. (2003).

Introducción a la Inmunología humana L. Fainboim, J. Geffner. 5ª ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana. Buenos Aires 2005.

Inmunología de P. Parham. Ed. Panamericana, 2ª ed. (2006).

 

Relevant reviews:

Advances in Immunology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/advances-in-immunology

Annual Review of Immunology: https://www.annualreviews.org/loi/immunol

Current Opinion in Immunology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-opinion-in-immunology

Immunological Reviews: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118503650/home

Nature Reviews in Immunology: http://www.nature.com/nri/index.html

Seminars in Immunology: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/seminars-in-immunology/

Trends in Immunology: http://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/

 

Internet resources:

Inmunología en un mordisco: http://inmunologia.eu/

Sociedad Española de Inmunología: http://www.inmunologia.org/

Revista Inmunología: http://www.inmunologia.org/revista/home.php

Immunobiology by C. A. Janeway, P. Travers, M. Walport and M. Shlomchik. Garland Science 2001: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=imm

Roitt's Essential Immunology, by Peter Delves, Seamus Martin, Dennis Burton, Ivan Roitt. Wiley-Blackwell Ed., 11 th ed., (2006): http://www.roitt.com/

Microbiology and Immunology On line. School of Medicine, University of South Carolina: http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/book/welcome.htm

Faculty of Medicine, Dalhouse University (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada): http://immunology.medicine.dal.ca/bookcase/

The Infectious Diseases WebLink: http://webpages.charter.net/deziel/

Departament of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University: http://mcb.harvard.edu/BioLinks/Immunology.html

Biology Animations: http://biology-animations.blogspot.com/

Introduction Immune System: http://www.biology.arizona.edu/immunology/tutorials/immunology/main.html

Janeway's animations: http://www.blink.biz/immunoanimations/

Davison College (Immunology course, Molecular Movies):http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/Immunology/Bio307.html

Software

Softwares used for data analysis include: excel, word and CytoExpert

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 13 Catalan/Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 131 Catalan second semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 131 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 132 Catalan second semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 132 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 133 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 134 English second semester afternoon