The research activity of the Department of Cytology, Histology and Embryology (Prof. Dr. Irena Tavchiovska-Vasileva, Prof. Dr. Maja Jordanova and Prof. Dr. Katerina Rebok) is mainly focused on introducing cytological, histological and histopathological biomarkers in ecological monitoring studies using fish as bioindicator organisms.
Special attention is paid to the effect of pollution on the health status of fish populations in various aquatic ecosystems by monitoring morphological, hematological and histopathological indicators. More specifically, the condition factor and organosomatic indices are used as indicators of the general health of fish in the research of this Department. Hematological research monitors the genotoxic impact of various pollutants on fish populations using cytological biomarkers, i.e. using the micronucleus test and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes from peripheral blood in fish. Histopathological research refers to histological analysis and detection of various pathological changes - tissue lesions, mainly in the visceral organs of various fish species, of which special emphasis is placed on the gonads, liver, spleen and kidneys.
Within the framework of the scientific research activity of the Department of Cytology, Histology and Embryology, several projects of national and international character have been implemented in the past 10-year period. The results of the research of this Department have been presented at scientific meetings and congresses in the country and abroad, and have been published in domestic and foreign scientific journals.
