MSc Biological Sciences; PhD Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacognosy; FHEA
Lecturer
- About
-
- Email Address
- p.marini@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 437489
- Office Address
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Institute of Medical Sciences
Room 5.15.4
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
I graduated in 2004 Biology (Master degree) from "Sapienza" University of Rome (Italy), with a dissertation on the “Involvement of CB1 receptor in the opioid withdrawal response in guinea pig ileum". After my degree, I obtained a one-year grant at the Hospital “Fatebenefratelli” of Rome (Role of Ceruloplasmin in Alzheimer's desease). In 2004, I started my PhD at "Sapienza" University of Rome and in 2006, I moved to Naples as visiting PhD student, where I joined the “Endocannabinoid Research Group”. I was awarded my Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 2007 with a dissertation on “Cross-talk between GPCRs coupled to Gi/o and Gq/11 proteins in the opioid withdrawal response: the guinea pig ileum and the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as comparative experimental models”. Additionally, whilst working for my Ph.D., I was also involved in a project focused on the study of the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the control of energy balance and fat mass in the hypothalamus and peripheral tissues. In 2009, I moved to the University of Aberdeen, where as Research Fellow, I joined the cannabinoid research group under the supervision of Prof Ruth Ross and Professor Roger G Pertwee. Currently my main research focus is on the pharmacology characterization of new cannabinoid CB1/CB2receptors ligands. I am also interested in orphan BSR-3 receptor and its involvement in the control of food intake as well as to the role of intracellular calcium mobilization in the activation of certain transcriptional factors in the context of acute dependence induced by drugs of abuse.
Coordination and Teaching:
MBChB Year 2 Lead,
MBChB and PA EDI and Decolonising the Curriculum Lead,
G2M and Pre-Medical Studies Coordinator/Tutor,
SMMSN - International Study Centre Link Tutor,
SM1501 “The Cell”, ME1510 “Introduction to Health and Health Services in the U.K", course Co-Coordinator,
European Exchange and Buddy Scheme SMMSN coordinator.
Visiting Professor, University of Foggia, Italy
Qualifications
- ILM3 Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management2020 - The City and Guilds of London Institute
- PG Cert Learning & Teaching in Higher Education.2017 - University of Aberdeen
- FHEA Teaching and Learning support in higher education2016 - Advance Higher Education
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
-
- Member Year 1-3 MBChB Teaching delivery Group IEHMS, SMMSN.
- Member of Work Stream 1: Data Analysis. IEMDS, SMMSN.
- Elected Senate member (2020-2024).
- Member of University Education Committee: International student experience task and finish group, SMMSN
- Member of the MBChB Year 1 Executive & SSLC Committee. IEMDS, SMMSN.
- Member of the MBChB Year 2 Executive & SSLC Committee. IEMDS, SMMSN.
- Member of the MBChB Curriculum Steering Group. IEMDS, SMMSN.
- Member of the MBChB Written and Anatomy Assessment group. IEMDS, SMMSN
- Member of the SMMSN Student Support Group. IEMDS, SMMSN.
- Member of the G2M Steering Group. IEMDS, SMMSN.
- Principal’s Teaching Excellence Award Committee Member (2020-21), CAD.
- External Memberships
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- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
- External Examiner to the School of Medicine, University of Glasgow (February 2023 at present)
- Member of Foundation year and Gateway Leads Network, U.K.
- Member of Scottish Gateway Access Programme. Scotland, U.K.
- Paper Co-evaluator at F1000 faculty (www.F1000biology.com)
- Member of Cell Biology Journal Editorial Board, SciencePG, since 2014
- Member of Gavin Journal Addiction Research and Therapy Editorial Board, Gavin Publisher, since 2015
- Member of Nutrition And Food Science Journal, Scientific Literature, since 2016
- Guest Associate Editor "Frontiers in Neuropharmacology" (2013-14): Research topic “Addictive drugs targeting GPCRs: new cross-talk mechanisms” (8 papers edited).
- Guest Editor "International Journal Molecular Sciences" (2021-22): Special Issue: Role of Soluble Beta Amyloid in the Depressive Disorder"
Peer reviewer for:
- Pharmacological Research,
- ChemMedChem,
- PLoSone,
- Neurotoxicology,
- Reviews in the Neurosciences,
- Neurosciences,
- Peptides,
- Journal of substance abuse and rehabilitation,
- American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences,
- Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour,
- Cancers
- American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences,
- Pharmacology,
- Natural Product Research
Previous Member of:
International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS)
British Pharmacology Society, UK
Italian Pharmacology Society, ITA
Italian Physiology Society, ITA
Society for the Study of Addiction, UK
Prizes and Awards
2021: Winner of the HE Innovate award for most innovative approach to widening participation in the curriculum–Pearson HE Innovate Awards 2021. “Aberdeen Gateway to Medicine Access programme”.Davies S.N., Patey, R., Marini, P., Kay, C.D. Fraser D, Grant S, Miller S., Gibson Smith K.
https://heinnovate.co.uk/he-innovate-awards-2021-results/
2020: Winner of the Principal’s Teaching Excellence award, University of Aberdeen. “Gateway 2 Medicine: establishing a holistic programme for widening access students.” Marini P.
2018: Winner of the Medical Directorate Award 2018, in the category: “Process, Development and Implementation”. 8th National Scottish Medical Education Conference, April 26th – 27th, 2018. Gateway to Medicine: Widening access to students from remote and rural backgrounds. Marini P., Cleland J.A., Davies S.N., Denison A.R., Dollery W., Fraser D., Grant S.E., Johnston A., Kay C.D., Miller S., Patey R., Smith G.E. (Poster).
- Research
-
Research Overview
My primary research interests are:
1) the study of the mechanisms underlying the opioid withdrawal syndrome,
2) cannabinoid receptor pharmacology,
3) the pharmacological characterization of orphan receptors
4) Developing new treatments and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease
Past Research
- “Pharmacological investigation of novel combination therapies in the treatment
of prostate cancer” in collaboration with Prof Roger G Pertwee and Dr Maria G Cascio
- "Allosteric modulation of nicotinic receptors in the mouse isolated vas deferens"
in collaboration with Prof Roger G Pertwee
- “A novel retinoid receptor with therapeutic potential”
in collaboration with Prof Peter McCaffery
- “The BSR-3 receptors and its involvement in the control of food intake"
in collaboration with Dr Nimesh Mody
- “Identification of the role of intracellular calcium mobilization in the activation of certain
transcriptional factors in the context of acute dependence induced by drugs of abuse”
in collaboration with Dr Alasdair MacKenzie
- " Neuronal Functional cross-talks in Guinea Pig Ileum"
in collaboration with Prof Maura Palmery, Dr Steve Tucker and Dr Maria G Cascio
- " Co-administration effectiveness of a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist and a fish –oil
omega-3 fatty acid or an omega-3 ethanolamide in cancer"
in collaboration with Prof Roger G Pertwee, Prof Raphael Mechoulam and Dr Maria G Cascio
Knowledge Exchange
- Marini P. CPD session for Clinical advisors on: “Cannabinoids - the science you need to give good clinical advice". 21st January 2020, CAMHS building, Links Unit, City Hospital site, Park Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
- Marini P. Cannabinoids and opioids: the good and the bad of ancient medicines. (Public Engagement), Cell Block Science, HMP Grampian, Peterhead, June 27th, 2019.
Collaborations
Prof Roger G Pertwee
Prof Maura Palmery
Funding and Grants
Friends of Anchor, Scotland, UK: “Involvement of CB1 and/or CB2 cannabinoid receptor in the anticancer effect of the dietarily available compound 3-3'-diindolylmethane (DIM)”
NHS Grampian Endowment Research Fund, Scotland, UK: “Would the co-administration of a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist and a fish –oil omega-3 fatty acid or an omega-3 ethanolamide be effective against cancer?”
- Teaching
-
Programmes
- Undergraduate, 2 semester, August start
Courses
Coordinator and Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lead tutor: Immunology topic
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
- Introduction to Healthcare in the UK (ME1510)
Lecturer
- Foundations of Medicine (ME2019)
Lecturer
- Student Selected Component 1 (ME2511)
Tutor
- Student Selected Component 2 (ME3031)
Tutor
- Student Selected Component 3 (ME4805)
Tutor
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Teaching Responsibilities
- MBChB Year 2 Lead Coordinator
- Gateway 2 Medicine (G2M): Programme coordinator and Tutor (Widening access programme):
- Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies Programme: Coordinator and Tutor
- International Study Centre (ISC): Link Tutor for SMMSN
- SM1501 “The Cell”: Course Co-Coordinator.
- ME1510 “Introduction to Health and Health Services in the U.K.”: course Co-Coordinator.
Non-course Teaching Responsibilities
Teaching Contribution as Visiting Professor University of Foggia, Italy:
2022-23
- Anti-Inflammatory drugs, Adverse Effects of Immunomodulatory Drugs, Immunosuppressive drugs, Cancer Immunotherapy
2021-22
- The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system, Applied pharmacology: cannabinoid and cholinergic systems cross-talk, The molecular mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 and its various applications in medicine. The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system, In vitro Pharmacological Functional Assays: affinity, efficacy, and potency, Pharmacology of cannabinoids, Characterization of cannabinoid receptor ligands in tissues natively expressing cannabinoid CB2 receptors.
- Publications
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Page 1 of 1 Results 1 to 48 of 48
Phenothiazines: Nrf2 activation and antioxidant effects
Journal of Biochemical and Molecular toxiology, vol. 38, no. 3, e23661Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.23661
Cyclic AMP Assay Using Human Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor-Transfected Cells
Endocannabinoid Signaling.. Maccarrone, M. (ed.). HUMANA PRESS INC, pp. 171-179, 9 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_13
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Displacement Binding Assay Using Human Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor-Transfected Cells
Endocannabinoid Signaling.: Methods in Molecular Biology. Maccarrone, M. (ed.). HUMANA PRESS INC, pp. 111-118, 8 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_8
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
The Plant Derived 3-3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) Behaves as CB2 Receptor Agonist in Prostate Cancer Cellular Models
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 4, 3620Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043620
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/20232/1/Tucci_etal_ijms_Plant_Derived_33_VOR.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
M3 Receptor Pathway Stimulates Rapid Transcription of the CB1 Receptor Activation through Calcium Signalling and the CNR1 Gene Promoter
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 2, 1308Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAn evaluation of Medical Sciences skills to inform Co-curricular Enhancement
13th University of Aberdeen Annual Academic Development Symposium 2022Contributions to Conferences: PostersThe G2M programme: an analysis of students' progression and retention
13th University of Aberdeen Annual Academic Development Symposium 2022Contributions to Conferences: PostersAberdeen Gateway to Medicine Programme: Widening Access to Remote and Rural Pupils
Rethinking Remote 2022Contributions to Conferences: PostersAberdeen Gateway to Medicine Programme – Four Years In
NES Annual Virtual Conference, 2022Contributions to Conferences: PostersCRISPR disruption and UK Biobank analysis of a highly conserved polymorphic enhancer suggests a role in male anxiety and ethanol intake
Molecular Psychiatry, vol. 26, pp. 2263–2276Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe Future Ready Ideas Lab: Future Proofing Bioscience Students Enterprise Skills
Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching, vol. 13, no. 2Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSynthetic bioactive olivetol-related amides: The influence of the phenolic group in cannabinoid receptor activity
Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 28, no. 11, 115513Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115513
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
CRISPR disruption and UK Biobank analysis of a highly conserved polymorphic enhancer suggests a role in male anxiety and ethanol intake
bioRxivContributions to Journals: ArticlesGateway to Medicine at the University of Aberdeen: a holistic approach to widening participation
Contributions to Conferences: PostersGateway 2 Medicine Programme
Contributions to Conferences: Oral PresentationsCulturing Enterprise Skills in Bioscience Students
Physiology 2019Contributions to Conferences: PostersGenomic and non-genomic pathways are both crucial for peak induction of neurite outgrowth by retinoids
Cell Communication and Signaling, vol. 17, 40Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-019-0352-4
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/12240/1/Genomic_and_non_genomic_pathways.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
- [ONLINE] View publication in Mendeley
Widening access to students from remote and rural backgrounds
8th National Scottish Medical Education ConferenceContributions to Conferences: PostersAn analysis of possible off target effects following CAS9/CRISPR targeted deletions of neuropeptide gene enhancers from the mouse genome
Neuropeptides, vol. 64, pp. 101-107Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe pharmacology and therapeutic potential of plant cannabinoids
Cannabis sativa L. - Botany and Biotechnology. Chandra, S., Lata, H., ElSohly, M. (eds.). Springer, Biomedicine & Life Sciences, pp. 207-225, 19 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54564-6_9
The Displacement Binding Assay Using Human Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor-Transfected Cells
Endocannabinoid Signaling: Methods and Protocols. Maccarrone, M. (ed.). Springer Science+Business Media, pp. 57-63, 7 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_6
The Cyclic AMP Assay Using Human Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor-Transfected Cells
Endocannabinoid Signaling: Methods and Protocols. Maccarrone, M. (ed.). Springer Science+Business Media, pp. 85-93, 9 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_9
CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist enantiomers HU-433 and HU-308: An inverse relationship between binding affinity and biological potency
PNAS, vol. 112, no. 28, pp. 8774-8779Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1503395112
A1-adenosine acute withdrawal response and cholecystokinin-8 induced contractures are regulated by Ca2+- and ATP-activated K+ channels
Pharmacological Research, vol. 95-96, pp. 82-91Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2015.03.014
The phytocannabinoid, Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabivarin, can act through 5-HT1 A receptors to produce antipsychotic effects
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 172, no. 5, pp. 1305-1318Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13000
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/5584/1/bph13000.pdf
Biosynthesis and fate of endocannabinoids
Endocanabinoids: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Pertwee, R. G. (ed.). Springer-Verlag, pp. 39-58, 10 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20825-1_2.
Structure-affinity relationships and pharmacological characterization of new alkyl-resorcinol cannabinoid receptor ligands: Identification of a dual cannabinoid receptor/TRPA1 channel agonist
Behavioral and Brain Sciences, vol. 22, no. 17, pp. 4770-4783Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2014.07.006
The phytocannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, can act trough 5HT1A receptors to produce anti-psychotic effects
Contributions to Conferences: PostersThe phytocannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, can act through 5HT1A receptors to produce anti-psychotic effects
Contributions to Conferences: PostersEffects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin at serotoninergic 5-HT1A receptors, and of its 11-Hydroxy-metabolite at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors
Contributions to Conferences: PostersCharacterization of cannabinoid receptor ligands in tissues natively expressing cannabinoid CB2 receptors
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 169, no. 4, pp. 887-899Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.12191
The NOP receptor involvement in both withdrawal- and CCk-8-induced contracture responses of guinea pig isolated ileum after acute activation of k-opioid receptor
Peptides, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 418-426Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2012.09.028
Biphasic regulation of the acute µ-withdrawal and CCk-8 contracture responses by the ORL-1 system in guinea pig ileum
Pharmacological Research, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 100-110Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2011.08.004
Investigations on the 4-quinolone-3-carboxylic acid motif. 3. Synthesis, structure-affinity relationships, and pharmacological characterization of 6-substituted 4-quinolone-3-carboxamides as highly selective cannabinoid-2 receptor ligands.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 53, no. 16, pp. 5915-5928Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jm100123x
Characterization of well-known ligands on tissues naturally expressing CB2 receptors
20th Annual Symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research SocietyContributions to Conferences: PostersThe plant cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin can decrease signs of inflammation and inflammatory pain in mice
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 160, no. 3, pp. 677-687Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00756.x
Acute withdrawal induced by adenosine A-receptor activation in isolated guinea-pig ileum: role of opioid receptors and effect of cholecystokinin
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 62, no. 5, pp. 622-632Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1211/jpp.62.05.0010
Basal and fasting/refeeding-regulated tissue levels of endogenous PPAR-α ligands in Zucker rats
Obesity, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 55-62Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2009.186
Cannabinoid CB1 receptor elevation of intracellular calcium in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells: interactions with muscarinic and delta-opioid receptors
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Cell Research, vol. 1793, no. 7, pp. 1289-1303Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2009.05.002
Inhibitory effect of salvinorin A, from Salvia divinorum, on ileitis-induced hypermotility: cross-talk between kappa-opioid and cannabinoid CB(1) receptors
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 155, no. 5, pp. 681-689Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjp.2008.294
Plant-derived cannabinoids modulate the activity of transient receptor potential channels of ankyrin type-1 and melastatin type-8
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, vol. 325, no. 3, pp. 1007-1015Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.107.134809
CB1 receptor mobilization of intracellular calcium in SH-SY5y cells: coincident signalling with the Gq/11-coupled M3 muscarinic receptor and Gi/o-coupled d-opioid receptor
18th Annual Symposium of the International Cannabinoid research SocietyContributions to Conferences: PostersMechanisms for the coupling of cannabinoid receptors to intracellular calcium mobilization in rat insulinoma beta-cells
Experimental Cell Research, vol. 313, no. 14, pp. 2993-3004Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.05.012
Coupling of cannabinoid receptors to intracellular calcium mobilization in rat insulinoma ß-cells
33rd Italian Pharmacology Society Workshop, Cagliari, Italy June 6th-9th.Contributions to Conferences: PostersEffect of 4-amynopyridine (4AP) and tetraethylamonium (TEA) on the expression of µ-opioid acute dependence in guinea pig ileum
58th Italian Physiology Society CongressContributions to Conferences: PostersFunctional activity of cannabinoid receptors in RIN-m5F insulinoma ß-cells: interactions with bombesin and vanilloid receptors.
3rd European Workshop/Joint Focused Meeting on Cannabinoid Research.Contributions to Conferences: PostersRegulation of intracellular calcium in insulinoma cells by bombesin and cannabinoids: same coupling for different informations?
Monothematic Congress “Behavioral and metabolic aspects of obesity and eating disorders”.Contributions to Conferences: PostersWithdrawal to acute adenosine A1 receptor activation: role of opioid and cannabinoid CB1 receptors.
Contributions to Conferences: Posters