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| IMMU0121-3 | General Immunology
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| Duration : | 15h Th, 5h SEM |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Michel Moutschen |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Course contents :
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| Immunology is a science devoted to the study of the different defense mechanisms directed against various microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi). It is a very important discipline because worldwide infectious diseases represent a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Obviously, it is impossible to understand the pathogenesis of an infectious disease and to treat it or prevent it with a vaccine without taking in account the immune response. A tragical example of crucial interactions taking place between the immune system and the infectious agents is HIV/AIDS : one of the worst pandemies in the history of mankind.
Another good reason for future physicians to understand the mechanisms of immune recognition of antigens is the frequent occurrence of abnormal or aberrant immune responses which attack normal, non infected cells, tissues or organs (i.e. hypersensitivity or autoimmunity). Whatever the system or the organ considered, all disciplines in medical school will deal to some extent with immunological concepts.
The elaboration and juxtaposition of various defense mechanisms by millions years of evolution is quite fascinating. It is a nice story with its good and bad guys. Unfortunately, the story is also quite complex and the concepts are changing very fast. This makes it sometimes difficult for the student and for the teacher. Good luck! |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| At the end of this series of lessons, the student should have gained an "in depth" understanding of the few basic concepts of immunology(there are not so many of them). He or she should be able to explain and reformulate them. The student should also be able to use these basic concepts to understand medical or scientific litterature dealing with clinical immunology. Some elements related to nomenclature will have to be memorized but we'll do our best to keep them as limited as possible. They will be clearly designed as such during the lessons. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| Course schedule: see general documents and the Q3 schedule. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Learning materials
The lectures constitute the reference of the topics which have to be addressed by the student. The powerpoint files of the lectures given in 2006-2007 are available on the website of this teaching (see address below). Slight modifications (usually not exceding 10%) will be made every year. The actualized .ppt file will be available on the website a few days before (or sometimes after) the lecture. Additional material will be available on the website to explain in more details difficult concepts. All these materials are available at the following address : http://www.ulg.ac.be/medint/accueil.html.
Books
As stated above, an in depth understanding of the concepts discussed during the lectures is quite sufficient to succeed brightly at the exam. Nevertheless, I am convinced that consulting good reference text books and actively clearing out apparent discrepancies with the content of the lectures is one of the best exercices to rapidly gain a good understanding of a highly conceptual discipline like immunology. I warmly recommand the following textbooks (one is enough)
-Immunology, Fifth Edition, Richard A. Goldsby, Thomas J. Kindt, Barbara A. Osborne, Janis Kuby. 2003, 603 pp. 452 ill.
-The excellent Immunobiology 5 by Janeway and Schlomchick is freely available on the http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?call=bv.View..ShowTOC&rid=imm.TOC&depth=10http:// |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| Written exam during first semester exams in January. Usually a pleasant mix of multiple choices questions and open questions with short answers. |
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Contacts :
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| My secretary can be joined for any administrative matter: Melle LIPARI (Tél. : 04/366.72.35), porte 169E, 3ème étage, bloc central du CHU. . I should distribute forms which I'd like you to fill it and to improve with your best picture. I will do my best to be easily accessible for any question before, during or after the lectures. An easy way to join me is to use my E Mail address michel.moutschen@ulg.ac.be. I received lots of question by E-Mail. Some students never ask any question. It is sad! receiving a written comment of the teacher on a given topic can give you precious clues regarding what is important and what is not... could be useful for the exam. |
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