Background – General Knowledge: Immune-mediated diseases and autoimmune diseases are more than 100 heterogeneous diseases due to activation and disruption of immune regulation. The most common of these are autoimmune thyroiditis (the most common) and rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, etc. The mechanisms and pathophysiology of the diseases are not fully understood. Recent epidemiological studies describe such a disease in 1 in 7 people in the general population during their lifetime affecting children, adolescents and adults. These diseases are not curable, but can be largely in remission after appropriate immunosuppressive therapy. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and management of these diseases are of paramount importance since their prognosis depends mainly on their early diagnosis and their effective therapeutic approach. In modern times, the pharmaceutical treatment of diseases is done with new therapies such as biological agents. Enormous importance is given to the side effects of drugs and their safety. Also, improving the quality of life and comorbidities play a key role in effective treatment. General Abilities Students in this course are introduced to basic and clinical aspects of the diseases.Scientific area: pathology, clinical and translational immunology, autoimmunity, autoimmune disease. • Skill development: Critical thinking and writing • Understanding the function of the immune system, immunity and how autoimmunity develops • Motivation for learning • Basic and translational learning • Practice aspects, teamwork • Literature review The general aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic knowledge of autoimmune diseases and to enable them to plan, analyze and write papers. Furthermore, the course seeks to provide students with the basic elements for applied knowledge of clinical immunology and autoimmune diseases. The specific objectives of the course are specified in the following intended learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: Will be able to use the acquired knowledge in order to: • design complex schemes of pathophysiological mechanisms • write papers individually or in collaboration with other members• use literature search tools • have the skills to pursue a future career in specialties that include basic and applied knowledge of clinical immunology • organize the way of thinking for the understanding of the immune system and immune-induced and autoimmune diseases • approach diseases characterized by immune disorders with structural thinking • collaborate with fellow students to produce research work |