Dr Pietro Marini

Dr Pietro Marini
Dr Pietro Marini
Dr Pietro Marini

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 Management 
    2020 - 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 education 
    2016 - 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

- 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://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/15342/?fbclid=IwAR3xild4zmEdQNKvTtUxelI-5Ab17WIZkFugYcoPKiPlaNmATdENeNvMGY

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.

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

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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  • Phenothiazines: Nrf2 activation and antioxidant effects

    Egbujor, M. C., Tucci, P., Buttari, B., Nwobodo, D. C., Marini, P., Saso, L.
    Journal of Biochemical and Molecular toxiology, vol. 38, no. 3, e23661
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Cyclic AMP Assay Using Human Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor-Transfected Cells

    Marini, P., Cascio, M. G., Pertwee, R. G.
    Endocannabinoid Signaling.. Maccarrone, M. (ed.). HUMANA PRESS INC, pp. 171-179, 9 pages
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters
  • Displacement Binding Assay Using Human Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor-Transfected Cells

    Cascio, M. G., Marini, P., Pertwee, R. G.
    Endocannabinoid Signaling.: Methods in Molecular Biology. Maccarrone, M. (ed.). HUMANA PRESS INC, pp. 111-118, 8 pages
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters
  • The Plant Derived 3-3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) Behaves as CB2 Receptor Agonist in Prostate Cancer Cellular Models

    Tucci, P., Brown, I., Bewick, G. S., Pertwee, R. G., Marini, P.
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 4, 3620
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • M3 Receptor Pathway Stimulates Rapid Transcription of the CB1 Receptor Activation through Calcium Signalling and the CNR1 Gene Promoter

    Marini, P., Cowie, P., Ayar, A., Bewick, G. S., Barrow, J., Pertwee, R. G., MacKenzie, A., Tucci, P.
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 2, 1308
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • An evaluation of Medical Sciences skills to inform Co-curricular Enhancement

    Barrow, J., Shewan, D., Marini, P., Tucker, S., Scott, D. A., McEwan, G., Cafiso, M.
    13th University of Aberdeen Annual Academic Development Symposium 2022
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters
  • The G2M programme: an analysis of students' progression and retention

    Davies, S., Marini, P.
    13th University of Aberdeen Annual Academic Development Symposium 2022
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters
  • Aberdeen Gateway to Medicine Programme: Widening Access to Remote and Rural Pupils

    Marini, P., Davies, S.
    Rethinking Remote 2022
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters
  • Aberdeen Gateway to Medicine Programme – Four Years In

    Marini, P., Gibson Smith, K., Davies, S.
    NES Annual Virtual Conference, 2022
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters
  • CRISPR disruption and UK Biobank analysis of a highly conserved polymorphic enhancer suggests a role in male anxiety and ethanol intake

    McEwan, A. R., Davidson, C., Hay, E., Turnbull, Y., Erickson, J. C., Marini, P., Wilson, D., McIntosh, A., Adams, M. J., Murgatroyd, C., Barrett, P., Delibegovic, M., Clarke, T., MacKenzie, A.
    Molecular Psychiatry, vol. 26, pp. 2263–2276
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
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