The Adenosine Receptors

This book traces the history of adenosine receptor research from molecular biology to medicinal chemistry to behavior, including their implications in disease and potential strategies as therapeutic targets. It provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the adenosine receptors that includes information on all subtypes - A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Aspects addressed include the most up to date information on their functional distribution in the nervous and peripheral systems, behavioral roles in inflammation, cancer, pain and neurological diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

About the Author

Katia Varani received her degree in Biology in 1988 and her Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology in 1995 from the University of Ferrara. She is currently Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Medical Sciences Department of the University of Ferrara. Her research activity mainly involve pharmacological, biochemical and molecular characterization of adenosine receptors in human neurodegenerative diseases, chronic and neuropathic pain, inflammatory diseases and cancer.  She has published 250 publications on peer-reviewed international scientific journals, 15 book chapters and several communications in international and national congresses. She is member of the Italian Society of Pharmacology and Purine Club.

Stefania Gessi received her degree in Biology Summa cum Laude from University of Ferrara in 1994 and her Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology in 2000 under the guidance of Professor Pier Andrea Borea. She moved at Centro RicercheSchering-Plough, Parco Scientifico San Raffaele (Milano) and at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, section of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm). She is currently Associate Professor of Pharmacology in the Medical Sciences Department of the University of Ferrara. Her research activity focused mainly on the pharmacological, biochemical and molecular study of adenosine receptors in inflammation and cancer and is documented by more than 130 publications on peer-reviewed international scientific journals, 18 book chapters and several communications in international and national congresses. She is member of the Italian Society of Pharmacology and Purine Club.

Stefania Merighi received her degree in Biology Summa cum Laude at the University of Ferrara (Italy) in 1997 and obtained her Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the same University in 2003. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Ferrara, a position she has held since 2017. Her research activities primarily focus on the pharmacological, biochemical and molecular study of GPCRs in oncology and neuroinflammation and has published extensively in this area. Her research activity is documented by more than 100 publications on peer-reviewed International scientific journals and several communications in International and National congresses. She is member of the Italian Society of Pharmacology and Purine Club.