University Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate Study of Medicine

The main aim of this course is to introduce students to the normal and pathological function of the immune system. The focus is on the explanation of physiological processes that enable the normal functioning of certain subtypes of immune cells in a nonspecific and specific immune response, as well as on the explanation of pathophysiological mechanisms leading to disorders of normal immune processes, as well as on the possibilities for therapeutic action to the immune response. Teaching tasks imply enabling the student to connect basic knowledge of immunology and pathophysiology of the immune system with the teaching of physiology and pathophysiology, microbiology and parasitology, pathology, infectious disease, oncology, and epidemiology (vaccination), therefore qualifying the student to apply immunological cognition in clinical medicine.

Course content:

Overview of Immunity. Antigens. Tissue Cells and Organs of the Immune System. Major Histocompatibility Complex Molecules. Immune Recognition. Cellular Immunity. Non-specific Immunity. Complement. Structure of Antibody and Antigen Receptor of Lymphocyte B. Gene Background of Synthesis and Antibody Differences. Humoral Immunity. Immune Response Regulation. Interaction of Immune Cells. Action on Immune Response. Cytokines and Chemokines. Immune Response to Tumor. Immunodeficiency and AIDS. Immunotolerance and Autoimmunity. Immunity to Infections. Tissue and Organ Transplantation. Immunological Hypersensitivity. Mucosal Immunity. Vaccination. Laboratory Methods in Clinical Immunology.

Class organization:

Class attendance is mandatory. The course consists of 24 hours of lectures, 18 hours of seminars, and 8 hours of practicals, which totals 50 class hours. Students must wear lab coats during practicals and have exercise protocols where they will write measured and obtained values. The student actively discusses immune mechanisms throughout seminars and practicals with the lecturer. The student is obligated to prepare the material that is being discussed in seminars and practicals. The teacher evaluates student participation throughout seminars and practicals (demonstrated knowledge, understanding, the ability to set up a problem, conclude, etc.). There will be two midterm exams during the course and a written and oral part of the final exam at the end of classes. After completing all class activities and the final exam, the student acquires 4 ECTS credits.

Obligatory literature for learning:

1. Abbas A.K, Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. International Edition. Tenth edition. Elsevier, 2021. or Abbas A.K, Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. International Edition. Eighth edition. Elsevier, 2015.

2. Handbook for Practicals in Immunology, Editor: H. Mahmutefendić. The University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, 2014. (e-edition), 2015 (printed edition).

Supporting literature:

1. Abbas A.K, Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. Basic Immunology. Functions and Disorders of the Immune System. Fifth edition. Elsevier, 2016.

2. Murphy K, Weaver C: Janeway's Immunobiology 9th edition, Garland Science, New York and London, 2017.