G. Calo’ has a large experience in research with a broad background in the pharmacology of peptidergic systems. Since 1990 G. Calo’ has published > 300 papers (number of citations > 10000, H number 53) focused on peptide receptor pharmacology in particular in the fields of kinins, tachykinins, endothelins, opioids, nociceptin/orphanin FQ, urotensin II, and neuropeptide S. Several of these papers, particularly in the field of nociceptin/orphanin FQ and neuropeptide S, have been highly quoted placing them in the top 1% within their field: according to essential science indicators this demonstrated that the work summarized in those papers was highly influential and made a significant impact among scientists working in the field. G. Calo’ is also author of several patents on original ligands for GPCR and novel therapeutic indications for such ligands. Since 1999 G. Calo’ received research grants from different institutions at local, national, european, and international levels, and performed a large number of projects in collaboration with pharma industries.

Ten recent papers

1. Sturaro C, Malfacini D, Argentieri M, Djeujo FM, Marzola E, Albanese V, Ruzza C, Guerrini R, Calo' G, Molinari P. Pharmacology of Kappa Opioid Receptors: Novel Assays and Ligands. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Apr 21;13:873082.
2. Ding H, Trapella C, Kiguchi N, Hsu FC, Caló G, Ko MC. Functional Profile of Systemic and Intrathecal Cebranopadol in Nonhuman Primates. Anesthesiology. 2021 Sep 1;135(3):482-493.
3. Pacifico S, Albanese V, Illuminati D, Marzola E, Fabbri M, Ferrari F, Holanda VAD, Sturaro C, Malfacini D, Ruzza C, Trapella C, Preti D, Lo Cascio E, Arcovito A, Della Longa S, Marangoni M, Fattori D, Nassini R, Calò G, Guerrini R. Novel Mixed NOP/Opioid Receptor Peptide Agonists. J Med Chem. 2021 May 27;64(10):6656-6669.
4. Costanzini A, Ruzza C, Neto JA, Sturaro C, Malfacini D, Sternini C, De Giorgio R, Calò G. Pharmacological characterization of naloxegol: In vitro and in vivo studies. Eur J Pharmacol. 2021 Jul 15;903:174132.
5. Azevedo Neto J, Ruzza C, Sturaro C, Malfacini D, Pacifico S, Zaveri NT, Calò G. Functional Selectivity Does Not Predict Antinociceptive/Locomotor Impairing Potencies of NOP Receptor Agonists. Front Neurosci. 2021 Mar 30;15:657153.
6. Pacifico S, Ferrari F, Albanese V, Marzola E, Neto JA, Ruzza C, Calò G, Preti D, Guerrini R. Biased Agonism at Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptors: A Structure Activity Study on N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2. J Med Chem. 2020 Oct 8;63(19):10782-10795.
7. Azevedo Neto J, Costanzini A, De Giorgio R, Lambert DG, Ruzza C, Calò G. Biased versus Partial Agonism in the Search for Safer Opioid Analgesics. Molecules. 2020 Aug 25;25(17):3870.
8. Ferrari F, Rizzo S, Ruzza C, Calo G. Detailed In Vitro Pharmacological Characterization of the Clinically Viable Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide Receptor Antagonist BTRX-246040. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2020 Apr;373(1):34-43.
9. Malfacini D, Simon K, Trapella C, Guerrini R, Zaveri NT, Kostenis E, Calo' G. NOP receptor pharmacological profile - A dynamic mass redistribution study. PLoS One. 2018 Aug 30;13(8):e0203021.
10. Calo' G, Rizzi A, Ruzza C, Ferrari F, Pacifico S, Gavioli EC, Salvadori S, Guerrini R. Peptide welding technology - A simple strategy for generating innovative ligands for G protein coupled receptors. Peptides. 2018 Jan;99:195-204.


Link to Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=8092485400

Il laboratorio è attrezzato per svolgere esperimenti di farmacologia recettoriale in vitro, in particolare sui recettori accoppiati a proteine G (GPCRs). Impieghiamo per questo metodi di biologia molecolare, biologia cellulare e farmacologia per studiare le proprietà farmacologiche di ligandi attivi su questi target.

Il nostro laboratorio è aperto a studenti in tesi di laurea triennale o magistrale per condurre esperimenti sulla farmacologia dei recettori accoppiati a proteine G (GPCRs). Impieghiamo metodi di biologia molecolare, biologia cellulare e farmacologia in vitro per studiare le proprietà farmacologiche di ligandi attivi sui GPCRs.