Histology and Embryology (BIOS-13/A)

The Histology Section of the Department develops its research activities in different thematic areas, studying the structural and functional characteristics of normal tissues and cells and their alterations associated with human pathologies.

In particular, several research projects are focused on the study of the interactions between tumor cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment, on their role in neoplastic growth and metastatic dissemination and on the investigation of the molecular signaling pathways involved. 
Further studies in the field of molecular oncology concern: the isolation and functional characterization of cancer stem cells, with particular attention to glioblastoma and metastatic tumors from unknown primary (CUP); the mechanisms of survival and resistance of neoplastic cells (solid tumors and leukemias) to targeted therapies and proteostatic stress; the role of caveolae in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis. 

From the point of view of molecular signaling mechanisms, particular attention is paid to the study of the members of the semaphorin family and their receptors, plexins and neuropinins, a field in which researchers of the Section are international leaders. 
Another thematic area developed by some researchers of the Section concerns the study of autophagy and other cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuronal degeneration and Alzheimer's disease in particular.

Finally, a research group that has been active in the Section for some time studies the molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of skeletal muscle homeostasis under normal and pathological conditions. In particular, the pathogenic effect caused by oxidative stress and the protective effect of nutritional factors on the loss of muscle mass and function typical of senescent muscle.