Functional Supramolecular Biological Units

This area concerns research activity related to the vital functions of animals and humans, also on a comparative level, analysing how a living organism reaches and maintains internal homeostasis on a molecular, cellular and tissue level in the context of modified surrounding environments.

It also includes the study of the electrophysical and functional mechanisms of communication and transport systems in biological membranes, cellular motility, and specialised functions of single cells. Furthermore, it analyses the integrated functioning of different organs and systems whilst in movement and under extreme conditions.

Also part of this research area is the study of the nutritional characteristics of foods, nutritional status, energetic needs and expenditure, physiological use of nutrients in diets. It studies the neurological basis of behaviour and cognitive/emotional interactions between a subject and the environment.