Fish and Shellfish Immunology

This course aims at providing a detailed overview on immunology of fish and shellfish:

• history of immunology;
• antigens;
• immune organs of fish;
• inflammation;
• innate immunity;
• key cells;
• cell based innate immune sensing fish;
• cellular effectors in fish;
• humoral-based immune sensing in fish;
• cytokines and chemokines;
• mhc in fish;
• ag presentation;
• t cell response in fish;
• immunoglobulines of fish;
• b cell response in fish;
• hemocytes in shellfish and tissues of
• their immune system;
• prr of shellfish;
• propo in shellfish;
• coagulation in shellfish;
• anti-viral mechanisms in shellfish.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to (within the limits of the subjects treated) be able to:

• possesse a broad knowledge at an advanced level in a number of basic disciplines (biology, immunology) relevant to aquaculture;
• understand the processes ongoing in different forms and systems of aquatic production in relation to disease prevention;
• understand the ethical issues of animal production and experimentation;
• design and implement strategies for future development in aquaculture with emphasis on prevention of infectious diseases;
• interact with peers, with various stakeholders in the aquaculture sector, and with a general public concerning personal research, thoughts, ideas, and research proposals, both written and orally.

Assumed Knowledge:
General Biology, Microbiology, Basic knowledge on Aquaculture.