Manuela Marcoli
Manuela Marcoli, M.D., Ph.D., is a retired Professor of Pharmacology (2023) at the University of Genova (Dipartimento di Farmacia - DIFAR, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences), Italy, with over 40 years of expertise in neuropharmacology and neurotransmission.
She graduated with an M.D. from the University of Pavia in 1980 and earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology from the same institution in 1984. Her career began in the pharmacology research group at the University of Pavia, followed by a transition to the University of Genova, where she progressed through roles as researcher, associate professor, and full professor. She taught Pharmacology, Toxicology, Physiology, and related subjects across undergraduate programs (e.g., Biology), master's degrees (e.g., Molecular and Health Biology), and Ph.D. programs (e.g., Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology curriculum). She conducted international research collaborations, including at the University of Aberdeen (UK), and remains active as an editor, reviewer, and contributor to ongoing neuroscience projects.
Her research has significantly advanced understanding of glutamatergic transmission (ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, glutamate release from nerve terminals and astrocytes), purinergic receptors (e.g., presynaptic P2X7 modulation of glutamate release in physiological and pathological conditions such as neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation), receptor-receptor interactions (protomers and heteromers regulating neurotransmitter release, including dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin in neuron-astrocyte networks), and the role of astrocytes in neuron-glia communication, gliotransmission, and responses to modulators (e.g., photobiomodulation, electromagnetic fields, NO-cGMP pathways). She has developed in vitro models (e.g., MEA-coupled neuron-astrocyte networks, human iPSC-derived cells, primary cultures) for neurotoxicity testing and neuroactivity studies, aligned with the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
Her work has implications for excitotoxicity, neurodegeneration, chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, addiction, and integrative approaches to neuropsychiatric disorder
Dr. Marcoli is the author/co-author of over 120-137 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (e.g., Journal of Neuroscience, Neuropharmacology, British Journal of Pharmacology, Frontiers in Pharmacology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences).
Her work has garnered 3,191–3,709 citations, with an h-index of 29–35 (depending on the database; e.g., Google Scholar: h=35, citations 3,711; AD Scientific Index: h=35). She has secured funding from the EU, MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research), private institutions, and projects such as MNESYS (NRRP-PE0000006).
She previously served as President of the Ethical Committee for Animal Experimentation and is an active member of scientific societies, including the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). She has participated in interuniversity centers promoting the 3Rs in research and teaching, and has been an invited speaker at international conferences (e.g., Neurology Conferences).