The Histology laboratory performs histological analysis on gonads for the study of the reproductive biology of numerous pelagic and demersal fish species, crustaceans, mollusks, in the Mediterranean and Antarctic environments, cooperating with the Population Dynamics laboratory. It also conducts morphological and morpho-metric investigations pertaining to the development and differentiation of larvae and juvenile stages of species of interest. The Histology laboratory is equipped with the main equipment that enables the preparation of histological preparations in kerosene and the cutting of sections of various thicknesses using a microtome and then examined under light microscopy. The Histology laboratory supports the research units.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.