Information for the student – Advanced Immunology

AREA 2. Advanced Techniques in Immunology (7.5 ECTS) This area is designed to put into perspective the traditional technologies and the most advanced ones, to study the immune system and its application to different areas of bioscience research, diagnostics and biotechnology.

1. Antibodies (2.5 ECTS): understanding of different strategies for specific antibody production in vivo and in vitro evaluation of their specificity, the different approaches to obtain polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and purification.
2. Flow Cytometry (2.5 ECTS): knowledge of flow cytometry technology and its potential for multiple biological assays, for the expression of cellular markers, cell cycle phases, apoptosis, production of soluble factors (cytokines and chemokines), activation and cell proliferation cytotoxicity, cell viability, production of free radicals, etc.

3. Advanced Techniques in Immunology (2.5 ECTS): Functional analysis of lymphocytes: knowledge of techniques for measuring the functional capacity of T and B lymphocytes Proliferation, cytotoxicity, cytokine production, intracellular Ca2+, immunoglobulin production. PCR techniques applied to Immunology: knowledge of the techniques of PCR, RT-PCR, in situ-PCR and real-time PCR in the application to the analysis of gene expression, genetic polymorphisms and rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes and T cell receptors.

AREA 3. Immunobiotechnology (15 ECTS) This module is designed to introduce the student the most demanding applications directly from knowledge of the immune system, such as vaccines and other therapeutic tools to modulate the immune response.

1. Vaccines and Convergent Technologies (5 ECTS): To determine the molecular mechanisms involved in the generation and use of vaccines, and the biological basis of its modulation. Identification of the main problems in obtaining highly efficient vaccines with broad spectrum. Understanding physical-chemical technologies applied to the study of immunological parameters, microsystems, nanotechnology, surface functionalization, biocompatible materials, bionanosensores. 
2. Experimental Immunomanipulation (2.5 ECTS): training students to design experiments that lead to specific or general handling of the cellular and molecular components of the immune system and for choosing the most appropriate models and methods for obtaining their goals by manipulating the immune system.
3. Immunopharmacology (2.5 ECTS): knowledge of current uses of components of the immune system to specific therapies, such as cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and the search for therapeutic targets for these reagents. Ethical connotations.
4. Animal models for in research in Immunology (2.5 ECTS) : To provide students with the knowledge of the key animal models for the study of immunology and immunopathology.
5. External Seminars (2.5 ECTS): Understanding the latest advances in immunology from the viewpoint of the experts. Updating of concepts and training of students in the direct learning from cases, encouragement of discussion and interpretation of laboratory data.

AREA 4. Advanced Immunopathology (15 ECTS) Extension module concepts in immunopathology to give students the basis for the recognition of various diseases.

1. Autoimmunity (2.5 ECTS): autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Organ-specific and systemic autoimmunedideseases. Mechanisms of autoimmunity. Practical laboratory diagnostic methods applied to these pathologies. 
2. Neuroimmunology (2.5 ECTS): interaction between the immune system and nervous system. Nervous system diseases caused by malfunction of the immune system. Multiple sclerosis as a paradigm.
3. Immunohematology and transplantation (2.5 ECTS): Update of knowledge in solid organ and stem cells transplantation from various sources. Bone marrow, umbilical cord blood. Immunology of pregnancy. Practical laboratory diagnostic methods applied to these pathologies.
4. Immunodeficiency and AIDS (2.5 ECTS): Primary Immunodeficiencies. Acquired immunodeficiency. Biology of retroviruses. Immune response to HIV. AIDS. Potential vaccines. Practical laboratory diagnostic methods applied to these pathologies. 
5. Allergy (2.5 ECTS): humoral and cellular basis of the allergic response. Allergens. Treatment of allergic diseases. Public health significance. Practical laboratory diagnostic methods applied to these pathologies.
6. External Seminars (2.5 ECTS): Understanding the latest advances in immunology from the viewpoint of the experts. Updating of concepts and training of students in the direct learning from cases, encouragement of discussion and interpretation of laboratory data.

AREA 6. Master Thesis (25 ECTS)
In any of the three specialties, students must develop a concrete lab. work throughout the academic year consisting of 25 ECTS. The work should be monitored closely by a doctor (tutor) who will be monitoring the development of work. Before starting the research activity will be defined the general purpose and approach of the experiments to be performed by the student. The experimental of work has to be combined with a time for review the literature at the criteria of the tutor. The last two months will be devoted to writing the memory of the work structured with the usual format of 1) introduction, 2) objective, 3) materials and methods, 4) results, 5) discussion, 6) conclusions, 7) references, following the rules of the Master's Commission. The work ends with the oral presentation of the work in front off a committee of experts appointed by the Commission of the Master