Engineering Applications of Immunology and Disease Pathology

General Course Information:

BME 360 Engineering Applications of Immunology and Disease Pathology

Instructor Information:

Sharon Thomsen, M.D.
Lecturer
Office Address: ENS 610
Telephone Number: 232-5910
Fax Number: 471-0616
Email: thomsen@ece.utexas.edu

2002-2003 Catalog Data

Textbooks:  Cotran, R, V. Kumar and T. Collins.  Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease.  6th edition.  W. B. Saunders Co.  Philadelphia.  1999

Additional References: Relevant handouts on newest technologies and  information on pathologenesis and pathologic mechanisms.

Coordinator

Sharon Thomsen, M.D.

Goals

Gain a general understanding of human immunology
Understand the basic pathologic mechanisms of the more prevalent human diseases.
Understand how these mechanism interacting with the functional anatomy of different tissues can be used to guide engineering development of diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods and instrumentation.
Understand the dynamics of disease pathologenesis, development and resolution.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills Students Should Have Entering This Course

Required course prerequisites: Bio 211, 212 and 205.  BME 365R and BME 365 S.
The students should have a general background knowledge in biomedical engineering.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills Students Should Gain From This Course

The students will have gained a general understanding of the mechanisms and dynamics of disease and the impact of these on the development of accurate and specific diagnostic and therapeutic methods and instrument.
The students will have gained the abilities to recognize that basic pathologic mechanisms will be modified by the specific functional anatomy of the involved tissue/organ.
The students will become comfortable with biologic variation of normal and diseased tissues and organs.
The students will become familiar with and critical of library searches and literature specific to medicine, anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Impact on Subsequent Courses in Curriculum

The knowledge obtained will add practical perspective to the students productive participation in the BME 371 Capstone BME Design Projects and BME senior projects.

Criteria 2000 Outcomes Achieved

a.  Biology
b.  Design

Program Criteria Outcomes Achieved

a.  An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
b.  An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
c.  An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
g.  An ability to communicate effectively.
h.  The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global/societal context.
i.   A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.
j.   A knowledge of contemporary issues.
k.  An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Professionalism Topics

Impact of disease on humans.
Limitations of mathematical and physical experimental models for accurate instrument applications in living animals and humans.
Need to review the literature to gain background knowledge about the disease.

Topics (referenced to Criteria 2000 and program criteria outcomes)

Introduction and overview of immunology.  Illustrative Case Analysis: 
1. Antibody formation after vaccination
2. immunologic mechanisms of transplant rejection:

Pathogenesis, development and resolution of the following basic pathologic processes:
1. Hemorrhage, and thrombosis.  Illustrative Case Analysis: Coronary Atherosclerosis
2. Acute and chronic inflammation.  Illustrative Case Analysis:  Bacterial cutaneous abscess (Acne) and Chronic viral hepatitis
3. Necrosis and Tissue Death:  Illustrative Case Analysis:  Myocardial Infarction.
4. Wound healing.  Illustrative Case Analysis:  Resolution of Interstitial Thermal Tissue Coagulation
5. Neoplasia:  Including pathogenesis, genetics, disease progression and pathology
 
a. Illustrative Case Analysis:  Colon Carcinoma

Pathology of Being a Tube:
1. Pathologies and Diseases based on tubular structure of the organs.  
2. Illustrative Organ Systems: Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Urinary and Respiratory Systems