Stefano Casalotti joined the School of Bioscience in September 2009. Between 2007 and 2009 he took a career break from full time teaching and research  by  joining the team of Linking London, a Lifelong Learning Network, aimed at promoting progression of vocational learners into university.  Previous appointments were 2000-2006 Lecturer –University College London(UCL), 1997-2000 Senior Fellow-UCL, 1992-1997, Lecturer -Mahidol University, Thailand. 1988-1992, Post-Doc  Georgetown University Washington DC.

Stefano’s main research interest is in molecular neuroscience. During his PhD and early postdoctoral studies he focused  on the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of the neurotransmitter receptors GABAa, NMDA and Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor.  While in Thailand, together with colleagues and graduate students he carried out studies on the effect of stress and drugs of addiction on gene expression in the brain. When he joined the Ear Institute UCL he carried out studies on the effect of mutation of Connexins genes on gap junction function in the inner ear and, in collaboration with colleagues in Thailand, he investigated the expression of opiate receptors in the inner ear.

Stefano is now in the process of developing new lines of research in Connexins structure and function and molecular mechanisms of drug addiction.

Teaching and Learning  Committee (LiLT)

Medicine Reaserch Group (member)

Infection and Immunity Research Group (member)

Teaching and Learning Research Group (Member)

Bioscience Journal Club (coordinator)

Molecular mechanism of disease and dysfunctions especially those related to the nervous system. Studies of gene expression. Specifically: the effect of mutations on structure and function of gap junctions and changes in gene expression  following exposure to drugs of addiction and stress

The development of new teaching and learning strategies

Technical expertise in : protein purification, receptor binding, immunochemistry, gene cloning, gene expression studies.

On going projects:

Connexins mutations

Connexins are constituent proteins of the cell communication channels know as  gap junctions. Mutations in the genes coding for connexins are associated with a number of diseases and dysfunctions. We are investigating how specific connexins mutations alter the function of the of the gap junctions. This work is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Andrew Forge and his team at the Ear Institute , UCL.

Natural anxiolytics

We are developing a bioassay based on stress responses in  Drosophyla melanogaster (fruit fly)  to assess the anxyolitic properties of natural compounds. This work is carried out in collaboration with Dr. Alberto Sanchez-Medina.

Alcohol addiction

We are investigating the usefulness of a Drosophyla melanogaster (fruit fly)  model  for the study of alcohol addiction.

• Biomedical Science
• Pharmacology
• Acupuncture

• Module leader for BS1002 Cellular Processes
• Module leader for BS2002 Molecular Biology
• Module leader for BS2080 Physiological Systems

I Brunetta , SO Casalotti , IR Hart, A Forge, LE Reynolds. (2012) beta3-integrin is required for differentiation in OC-2 cells derived from mammalian embryonic inner ear. BMC Cell Biol. 2012 Mar 17;13(1):5.

N Ruksee, W Tongjaroenbuangam, SO Casalotti, P Govitrapong. (2008) Amphetamine and pseudoephedrine cross-tolerance measured by c-Fos protein expression in brains of chronically treated rats. BMC Neurosci. 9: 99.

W Tongjaroenbuangam, N Jongkamonwiwat, P Phansuwan-Pujito, SO Casalotti, A Forge, H Dodson, P Govitrapong. (2006) Relationship of opioid receptors with GABAergic neurons in the rat inferior colliculus.. Eur J Neurosci.;24(7):1987-94..

NJongkamonwiwat , P Phansuwan-Pujito , SO Casalotti, A Forge, H Dodson, P Govitrapong . (2006)The existence of opioid receptors in the cochlea of guinea pigs. Eur J Neurosci. 23:2701-11.

W Tongjaroenbungam, N Jongkamonwiwat, J Cunningham, P Phansuwan-Pujito, HC Dodson, A Forge, P Govitrapong, SO Casalotti. (2004), Opioid modulation of GABA release in the rat inferior colliculus BMC Neuroscience 5:31

A Forge, Marziano NK, Casalotti SO, Becker DL, Jagger D. (2003) The inner ear contains heteromeric channels composed of cx26 and cx30 and deafness-related mutations in cx26 have a dominant negative effect on cx30. Cell Commun Adhes. 10:341-6.

A Forge, Becker D, Casalotti S, Edwards J, Marziano N, Nevill (2003) G. Gap junctions in the inner ear: comparison of distribution patterns in different vertebrates and assessement of connexin composition in mammals. J Comp Neurol. 467:207-31.

P. Phansuwan-Pujito, L. Saleema , S. Mukda, N. Jutapakdeegul, S.O. Casalotti, A. Forge, H. Dodson, P. Govitrapong (2003) The opioid receptors in inner ear of different stages of postnatal rats. Hear Res. 184:1-10.

N. Jutapakdeegul, SO Casalotti, P Govitrapong, N Kotchabhakdi. (2003) Postnatal touch stimulation acutely alters corticosterone levels and glucocorticoid receptor gene expression in the neonatal rat. Dev Neurosci.;25(1):26-33.

N. Jongkamonwiwat , P. Phansuwan-Pujito, P. Sarapoke, B. Chetsawang, S.O. Casalotti, A. Forge, H. Dodson, P. Govitrapong (2003) The presence of opioid receptors in rat inner ear. Hearing Research 181: 85-93.

NK Marziano, SO Casalotti, AE Portelli, DL Becker, A Forge. Mutations in the gene for connexin 26 (GJB2) that cause hearing loss have a dominant negative effect on connexin 30. Hum Mol Genet. (2003) 12: 805-12

A Forge, D Becker, S O Casalotti, J, Edwards N Marziano, R Nickel. (2002) Connexins and gap junctions in the inner ear.Audiol Neurootol.;7:141-5

S.Kaewsuk, P. Hutamekalin A. Ketterman, N Khotchabhakdi, P.Govitrapong, S.O.Casalotti (2001) Morphine induces short-lived changes in G-protein gene expression in rat prefrontal cortex. Eur.J Pharmacol 411:11-16

S. Nudmamud, P. Siripurkpong, C. Chindaduangratana, P. Harnyuttanakorn, P. Lotrakul, W. Laarbboonsarp, A. Srikiatkhachorn, N. Kotchabhakdi, S. O. Casalotti (2000). Stress, anxiety and peripheral benzodiazepine receptor mRNAlevels in human lymphocytes. Life Science 67, 2221-2231

P E.M. Martin, S. L..Coleman, S. O. Casalotti, A. Forge and W.H. Evans (1999) Properties of connexin26 gap junctional proteins derived from mutations associated with non-syndromal heriditary deafness Human Molecular genetics. 8:2369-2376

B. Chetsawang, S.O. Casalotti,, P. Phansuwan-Pujito, N. Kotchabhakdi, P. Govitrapong (1999) Gene expressions of opioid receptors and G-proteins in pineal glands. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 262:775-80

G.S.G. Geleoc, S.O. Casalotti, A. Forge and J.F. Ashmore (1999) A sugar transporter as a candidate for the outer hair cell motor. Nature Neuroscience 2, 713-719.

E. Kumarnsit, P. Harnyuttanakorn, D. Meksuriyen, P. Govitrapong, B.A. Baldwin, N. Kotchabhakdi and S.O. Casalotti (1999) Pseudoephedrine, a Sympathomimetic Agent, Induces Fos-like Immunoreactivity in Rat Nucleus Accumbens and Striatum. Neuropharmacology, 38, 1381-1387

A. Forge, D. Becker, S. O. Casalotti, J. Edwards, W.H. Evans, N. Lenh and M. Souter (1999) Gap junctions and connexin expression in the inner ear. In Novartis Foundation Symposium 219: “Gap Junction-Mediated Intercellular Signalling in Health and Disease” J. Wiley & Sons Ltd pp 134-156.

P. Sirirpurkpong, P. Harnyuttanakorn, C. Chindadoungratana, N. Kotchabhakdi, P. Wichyanuwat and S.O. Casalotti. (1997) Dexamethasone, but not stress, alters mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor gene expression in rat. European Journal of Pharmacology 331, 227-235.

J.Wattanathorn, N. Kotchabhakdi, S.O. Casalotti, B.A. Baldwin and P. Govitrapong. (1996) Ethanol alone or with dexamethasone alters the kinetics of choline acetyltransferase. European Journal of Pharmacology 313, 69-72

S. O. Casalotti, A.P. Kozikowski, A Fauq, W. Tückmantel and K.E. Krueger (1993) Monoclonal antibodies against a phencyclidine derivative are used to investigate protein-ligand interaction. European Journal of Pharmacology. (Molecular Pharmacology Section.)247, 209-213.

S.O. Casalotti, G. Pelaia, A. G. Yakolev, T. Csikós, D. R. Grayson, K.E. Krueger. (1992) Structure of the rat gene encoding the mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor Gene, 121, 377-382.

S. O. Casalotti, A.P. Kozikowski, A Fauq, W. Tückmantel and K.E. Krueger. (1992) Design of an irreversible affinity ligand for the phencyclidine recognition site on N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Experimental Theurapetics, 260, 21-28.

A.P. Kozikowski, A.H. Fauq, W.Tuckmantel, S.O. Casalotti and K.E.Krueger . (1991) Synthesis of TCP-based irreversible alkylators of the PCP recognition site. Synletters. 9, 654-655

F.A.Stephenson, M.J. Duggan and S.O. Casalotti. (1989) Identification of the Alpha-3 Subunit in the GABAA Receptor Purified from Bovine Brain.Febs Letters., 2443 358-62.

S.O. Casalotti, F.A. Stephenson and E.A. Barnard.(1986) Separate Subunits for Agonist and Benzodiazepine Binding in the  Aminobutyric Acid-A Receptor Oligomer.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 261, 15013-15016.

F.A Stephenson, S.O. Casalotti, C. Mamalaki and E.A. Barnard. (1986) Antibodies Recognising the GABAA/Benz.