1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	30
Practicum	15

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

The course Comparative Immunology explores the diversity and evolution of immune systems across different groups of organisms, from lower groups of organisms to higher ones - mammals. Through lectures and practical work, students will become familiar with the basic principles of defense system function in plants and invertebrates as lower organisms, gain insight into innate and acquired immune mechanisms, acquire knowledge of evolutionary transitions in adaptive immunity of vertebrates ? from jawless to jawed groups ? as well as the differences between ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates. The course emphasizes the comparison of immune defense mechanisms, adaptations to environmental conditions, and evolutionary transitions that have led to the development of complex forms of immunity, along with a comparative analysis of lymphoid tissues, immunoglobulins, and MHC systems among lower and higher groups. It also addresses the influence of climatic factors on immune responses and the role of lower organisms as models in immunological and biomedical research. The practical component enables students to acquire hands-on skills in studying lymphoid tissues and immune cells of various animal groups (Insecta, Pisces, Amphibia, Sauropsida/Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia).

Objective: The aim of the course is to enable students to understand the evolutionary roots of immunity, the development of the immune system throughout evolution, and the specific adaptations of individual groups, as well as the mechanisms that ensure resistance to diseases in different ecological and physiological contexts. Furthermore, the course highlights the importance of a comparative approach in modern biology, medicine, and veterinary science.

Course content: The course is held continuously according to the scheduled timetable and includes lectures and practical exercises.

Lectures: Lectures will be based in the form of traditional ex cathedra teaching combined with interactive sessions, encouraging the active participation of students.
1. Evolution of immune systems
2. Plant defense mechanisms against pathogens
3. Invertebrate immunity: mechanisms and evolutionary significance
4. Evolution of adaptive immunity ? jawless vs. jawed vertebrates
5. Defense mechanisms and adaptive immunity in fish
6. Amphibian immune system: transition from aquatic to terrestrial life
7. Reptilian immune system: adaptations of ectothermic vertebrates
8. Avian immune system: special features of lymphoid tissues and adaptive immunity
9. Mammalian immune system
10. MHC systems: fundamental roles and immunogenetic variability
11. Comparative perspectives on MHC systems across species
12. Climate change and immune responses
13. Lower organisms as models in immunological and biomedical research

Exercises: The practical component of the course is based on the examination and analysis of lymphatic tissues and immune cells in different groups of invertebrates and vertebrates (Crustacea, Insecta, Pisces, Amphibia, Sauropsida/Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia). Through the exercises, students will become familiar with the anatomical and histological features of lymphoid organs, techniques for sampling and preparing biological material, and microscopy of histological preparations and differential blood smears. The exercises include the recognition and interpretation of morphological features of GALT and differential blood cells, as well as the evolutionary development of lymphoid organs across different animal groups. Through independent work and analysis of the obtained results, students deepen their understanding of the role of lymphatic tissues and cells in immune processes and their evolutionary diversity.
1. Anatomical presentation of gut-associated lymphoid organs and tissues (GALT)
2. Isolation of lymphoid organs and tissues for histological processing
3. Microscopy and analysis of histological slides of lymphoid organs and tissues (GALT)
4. Sampling and preparation of hemolymph and blood smears for differential blood count (DBC) analysis
5. Microscopy and examination of differential blood counts (DBC) ? Crustacea, Insecta, Pisces
6. Microscopy and examination of differential blood counts (DBC) ? Amphibia, Sauropsida/Reptilia
7. Microscopy and examination of differential blood counts (DBC) ? Aves, Mammalia

1. Predavanja u pdf formatu na web stranici BO, Predavači kolegija.
2. Comparative Mammalian Immunology, Tizard, I. R. Comparative Mammalian Immunology, 2023., 1st ed., Academic Press/Elsevier, Amsterdam, Tizard, I. R., Academic Press/Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2023.
3. Advances in Comparative Immunology, Cooper, E. L. Advances in Comparative Immunology, 1st ed., 2018., Springer, Princeton, New Jersey., Cooper, E. L., Springer, 2018.
4. Comparative Immunoglobulin Genetics, Kaushik, A. K.; Pasman, Y. Comparative Immunoglobulin Genetics, 1st ed., 2014, Apple Academic Press, Toronto., Kaushik, A. K.; Pasman, Y., Apple Academic Press, 2014.
5. Immunology: A comparative approach, Turner. R. J. Immunology: A comparative approach, 1994., 1st ed., Wiley, New York, Turner. R. J., Wiley, 1994.

Izborni kolegiji - Regular - Physiology and Immunobiology