Who we are
Scientific supervisor: Awaiting appointment.
Info and contact information:
Affiliated staff:
.
Where we are
Volturno Street Biological Complex, Building F
What we do
Main lines of research
- Study of neurotoxicity and factors that may influence neurotoxicity. Using in vitro methodologies in particular, the mechanisms of neurotoxicity of pesticides, natural toxins, compounds of industrial interest, and environmental contaminants (e.g., oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage caused by bromine-based flame retardants) are studied. Mechanisms of neuroprotection by natutral substances (e.g., the induction of paraoxonase 2 by quercetin), biochemical/molecular indicators of neurotoxicity for use in in vivo studies in animals and possibly in humans are also evaluated.
- Study of the activity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) analogs capable of releasing nitric oxide (NO). The considerable interest directed toward this new class of drugs is due to their ability to induce an anti-inflammatory effect, on a par with the NSAID from which they are derived, but with reduced gastrolesiveness due to the ability to donate NO that, when released in adequate amounts, induces gastroprotection.
- Evaluation of the effect of drugs that can modify smooth muscle activity in isolated tissues. The study makes use of in vitro methods for the receptor characterization of different tissues, particularly gastrointestinal and bronchial, due to the availability of selective compounds for different receptor subtypes involved in the physiological modulation of contractile activity. In vitro methods also contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms by which a drug acts and its interactions with different intracellular components. Both direct effects on smooth muscle fibrocellula and indirect effects of modulating neurotransmission in electrically stimulated tissue can be evaluated.
- Nervous, hormonal, and autocrine/paracrine regulation of gastrointestinal function in the rat and mouse. The ability of histamine and selective agonists and antagonists of histamine H2 and H3 receptors to influence gastric acid secretion, gastrointestinal mucosal protection, and, in particular, regulation of epithelial cell turnover was examined. Particular attention was paid to the role of neuropeptides in maintaining gastrointestinal mucosal integrity and muco-secreting cell activity. In this regard, the role of the neuro peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ and the NOP receptor system in the peripheral and central control of some gastrointestinal activities under physiological and pathological conditions was investigated.
Main instrumentation provided
- Fluorescence, trinine, halogen microscope
- Inverted microscope
- Co2 incubator
