EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY
OVERVIEW
Experimental Pathology, is the branch of medicine treating the aetiology of the diseases and their different processes through the microscopic or molecular examination of organs, tissues, cells, or body fluids from diseased organisms. Another important aspect involved in this field concerns the analysis of the mechanisms by which the body defends itself against infections and, in particular, what happens when the Immunological System doesn’t work properly.
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AIMS AND CONTENT
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course of Experimental Pathology aims to transmit to the student a deep knowledge about aetiology and phathogenesis of the diseases. Students will also study all the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune responses both in normal and pathological conditions. These studies should be considered as preparatory for planned clinical subjects in subsequent years. |
AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The General Pathology course aims:
- to provide the knowledge about the etiology and the pathogenesis of human diseases both at the cellular and at the molecular levels;
- to provide an overall comprehension of the mechanisms at the base of cellular pathology and of the inflammatory response;
- to develop an adequate knowledge about the immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and in diseases responsible for/caused by immune system alterations.
At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to gain a deep knowledge about the etiology and the pathogenesis of the diseases in humans;
- to classify the causes of disease;
- to recognize the adaptation responses to cellular injury and the morphological and biochemical modifications associated to cell death;
- to gain a deep knowledge about inflammation and tissue repair and to describe the mechanisms involved;
- to apply the acquired knowledge on the immune response to explain defense mechanisms against infectious agents and tumors;
- to apply the acquired knowledge on the immune response to explain the mechanisms involved in immune system alterations;
- to acquire a correct terminology for the proper presentation of the pathological processes;
- to critically deal with the clinical subjects planned in subsequent years.
Teaching methods
Teaching is divided into 90 hours of classroom lectures on all the topics of the syllabus. These topics are explained by the teachers through PowerPoint presentations and all the lessons are shared in Aulaweb. The teachers always recommend the use of a textbook to expand the overall view of the subject. Attendance in this course is mandatory. The frontal lessons could be carried out remotely in online mode using the Teams platform.
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SYLLABUS/CONTENT
Concepts of health and disease, etiology, pathogenesis.
Causes of disease:
Chemical and drug injury.
Injury by physical agents (ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, thermal and electrical injury).
Injury by free radicals.
Nutritional diseases.
Biological causes of disease: pathogenesis of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Bacterial toxins. Superantigens. Tetanus. Dyphteria. Streptococcal and post-streptococcal diseases. Cytopathic and non cytopathic viruses. Herpesviruses. HBV, HCV. influenza. Malaria.
Cellular pathology:
Cell injury and cellular adaptations. Regressive processes. Atrophy. Degenerative processes. Lysosomal storage diseases. Cell death: apoptosis and necrosis.
Inflammation:
Acute inflammation. Inflammatory cells. Innate immunity receptors. Innate immunity defects. Chemical mediators of inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines. Chemokines. Leukocyte migration.
Systemic effects of inflammation. Acute phase response. Septic shock. Classification and outcome of acute inflammation. Chronic inflammation. Granulomas. Inflammation and cancer. Autoinflammatory disorders.
Immunology and Immunopathology:
Cells and Tissues of the Immune System. General features of the Innate and Adaptive Immune response. Origin and maturation of T and B lymphocytes. The Antigen receptor gene rearrangement (Immunoglobulin and T Cell receptors).
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Antigen processing and presentation to T Lymphocytes. Dendritic Cells. Activation of T Lymphocytes. Effector mechanisms of Cell-mediated Immunity. Cytotoxic and Helper T cells subpopulations. Cytokines. Natural Killer Cells.
B cell activation and Antibody production. Effector mechanisms of Humoral Immunity.
Immunity to Pathogens. Mucosal Immunity. The Hypersensitivity Reactions. Congenital and acquired Immunodeficiencies. Immunological Tolerance and Autoimmunity. Systemic and organ specific autoimmune disease. Immunological Memory and vaccines. Transplantation Immunology. Immunity to tumors. Tumor escape. Anti-tumor immunotherapy.
RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Bases of Disease - Elsevier.
Rubin’s Pathology - Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine.
Pontieri, Russo, Frati - Istituzioni di patologia generale e fisiopatologia generale, Piccin.
AA VV - Patologia generale e Fisiopatologia, Idelson-Gnocchi
Dianzani -Trattato di Patologia Generale, UTET.
Parham - The immune system. Garland Science.
Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai - Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Elsevier.
Mak, Saunders - Primer to the Immune Response. Elsevier.
Coico, Sunshine, immunology: a short course Ed. Wiley Blackwell
As optional research material, reviews in English language concerning several topics of the course will be available in Aulaweb.
TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD
Ricevimento: By appointment by email: mariacristina.mingari@unige.it
Ricevimento: Students have the possibility to contact the teacher by e-mail (claudia.cantoni@unige.it) or by phone (010 56362845) and ask for an appointment. Address 1: Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Padiglione 2, Istituto G. Gaslini, L. go G. Gaslini 5 Address 2: Sezione di Patologia Generale - DIMES, Via L. Alberti, 2
Ricevimento: By appointment by email: gabriella.pietra@unige.it
Ricevimento: Students can contact the teachers by mail (maidep@unige.it) for interviews The teacher's studio is located in the Pathology Section of Experimental Medicine Department (DIMES) , via L.B. Alberti, 2 16132 Genova
Exam Board
GABRIELLA PIETRA (President)
ALDAMARIA PULITI (President)
SONIA SCARFI' (President)
CHIARA VITALE (President)
WILLIAM BRUNO (President)
MARIA CRISTINA MINGARI (President)
PAOLA GHIORZO (President)
VINCENZO DI PILATO (President)
ANNA MARIA SCHITO
MARIA ADELAIDE PRONZATO
EUGENIO DEBBIA
ANNA MARCHESE
CLAUDIA CANTONI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)
LESSONS
Teaching methods
Teaching is divided into 90 hours of classroom lectures on all the topics of the syllabus. These topics are explained by the teachers through PowerPoint presentations and all the lessons are shared in Aulaweb. The teachers always recommend the use of a textbook to expand the overall view of the subject. Attendance in this course is mandatory. The frontal lessons could be carried out remotely in online mode using the Teams platform.
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LESSONS START
2nd march 2021
EXAMS
Exam description
Students are allowed to undergo the oral examination only if they have passed the test concerning the modules of the first semester with at least 18/30 (this mark is valid for 18 months). The exam could be carried out remotely in online mode using the Teams platform. |
Assessment methods
Verification of learning is carried out through the oral exam, aimed at verifying the real acquisition by the student of the expected learning outcomes.
In order to pass the exam the student will have:
- to know the etiological basis and the pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases and how to analyze their main cellular and molecular aspects;
- to understand the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and to know the diseases associated to the dysfunction of the immune system.
The following items will contribute to the final mark:
- ability to critically discuss the requested topics;
- accuracy, clarity, synthesis and fluency;
- competence in the subject;
- speaking ability and correct use of terminology.
Exam schedule
Date | Time | Location | Type | Notes |
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01/04/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | Sede: Aula di Patologia Generale - Via Alberti 2 |
11/06/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
16/06/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | Sede: Aula 3 Polo Alberti |
02/07/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
06/07/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | Sede: Aula 3 Polo Alberti |
20/07/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
22/07/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | Sede: Aula 3 Polo ALberti |
10/09/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
20/09/2021 | 09:00 | GENOVA | Orale | Sede: Aula di Patologia Generale - Via Alberti 2 |
FURTHER INFORMATION
Students have the opportunity to contact the teacher by e-mail and ask for an appointment depending on the needs.
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