Researcher And Group Leader At The National Reseach Council (Cnr)
CurrentThe research in my group is aimed at the development of new pharmacological tools targeting the human oxytocin receptors in brain disorders. Specific research topics include: 1) Neurobiology of oxytocin and its role in neurodevelopmental disorders. We characterized the phenotype of Oxytocin receptor null mice and its underlying neurobiological defects (unbalance in the GABA switch, synaptic alterations) and we are now extending these studies to other mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders. 2.) Molecular pharmacology of oxytocin /vasopressin receptors. Our interest is focused on oxytocin receptors as prototypes of G-protein coupled receptors; in particular, we are interested in the conformational states underlying receptor activation and inactivation and receptor signaling. We also engaged in the design and development of new classes of ligands i.e. functional selective, bivalent and fluorescent ligands. Finally, we are actively investigating receptor signaling and trafficking in vitro and in vivo in mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders.Publications athttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=chini+b&sort=date
