SMOK14003U Chronic Inflammation. From Basic Research to Therapy

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine

Content

The students will obtain knowledge, skills and competences within  the immunological mechanisms underlying development of autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. The couse contains elements of disease  pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnostics and therapy as well as the use of animal models, application and development of biomarkers and novel drugs in particular for major chronic inflammatory diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. It is the aim that the student will achieve a conceptual understanding which makes him/her able to contribute directly to research projects in the field as well as to have a professional dialogue with doctors, researchers and regulatory authorities within the field.

Learning Outcome

To attain course attestation, the student shall have obtained the following learning outcomes :

Knowledge: (the student will be able to)

  • Explain the immunological mechanisms, including the four hypersensitivity reactions, which give rise to development of autoimmunity and chronic inflammation
  • Explain the interaction between immune mechanisms, genetics and environmental factors for selected autoimmune/chronic inflammatory disorders
  • Explain and discuss the relevance of standard animal models within the field
  • Explain the epidemiology, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment for selected autoimmune/chronic inflammatory disorders
  • Explain the mechanisms of action for various anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Explain and discuss research within disease monitoring and the use and development of biomarkers for selected diseases within the field
  • Explain and discuss basic research and drug development within the field

Skills: (the student will be able to)

  • Suggest and perform a relevant immunological in-vitro or in-vivo model within inflammation research.
  • Suggest novel approaches for increasing disease understanding
  • Suggest biomarker analysis related to clinical research in inflammation. Interpretate biomarker analysis in basic research and clinical trials within inflammation
  • Suggest new strategies for drug development and implementation within an inflammatory disorder

Competences: (the student will obtain these general competences)

  • Will be able to analyse and discuss experimentel results analysis used by researchers in the field of inflammation.
  • Will be able to suggest and initiate relevant research tools for projects within inflammation.
  • Can contribute to interdisciplinary projects involving basic research, clinical research, biomarker and drug development within inflammation

Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman and Shiv Pillai. Elsevier. Latest edition.

 

Peer-reviewed research articles on specific topics will be provided.

Previous participation in a basic immunology course is highly recommended
Teaching and study methods: Lectures, classes, problems based learning, journal club, student presentations of exercises.

Oral presentation of one or more exercises in the class
The course is primarily intended for students in Molecular Biomedicine, Biochemistry and Biology
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 48
  • Lectures
  • 26
  • Preparation
  • 116
  • Theory exercises
  • 16
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 48 hours
---
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners/co-examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

  • Explain the immunological mechanisms, including the four hypersensitivity reactions, which give rise to development of autoimmunity and chronic inflammation
  • Explain the interaction between immune mechanisms, genetics and environmental factors for selected autoimmune/chronic inflammatory disorders
  • Explain and discuss the relevance of standard animal models within the field
  • Explain the epidemiology, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment for selected autoimmune/chronic inflammatory disorders
  • Explain the mechanisms of action for various anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Explain and discuss research within disease monitoring and the use and development of biomarkers for selected diseases within the field
  • Explain and discuss basic research and drug development within the field
  • Suggest  relevant immunological in-vitro or in-vivo models for a given inflammatory/autoimmune disorder
  • Suggest and/or analyse biomarker results related to basic and clinical research in inflammation. Interpretate biomarker analysis in basic research and clinical trials within inflammation
  • Suggest new strategies for drug development and implementation of such within an inflammatory disorder and implement these in a treatment algorithm.
  • Analyse and discuss experimentel results and analysis used by researchers in the field of inflammation.