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Giuseppe Di Giovanni

Professor Giuseppe Di Giovanni

Honorary Professor

School of Biosciences

Overview

Research overview

Studies in Professor Giuseppe Di Giovanni's Laboratory include:-

  • Lateral habenula in nicotine addiction and depression.
  • Serotoninergic system in epilepsy and co-morbid cognitive impairment.
  • Cannabinoids as a potential therapeutic target for Absence Epilepsy.
  • Gender differences in long-term damaging effects of binge drinking and cannabis abuse.

Research

Neurophysiology Lab Research Group

Group Members:

1.         Dr Massimo Pierucci, Post-doc (University of Malta) (2010-) Project title: Role of the lateral habenula in nicotine addiction and depression. Electrophysiological, neurochemical and anatomical study in rats.

2.         Dr Daniel Cassar, PhD student (University of Malta) (2017-) Project title: Role of serotoninergic system in epilepsy and co-morbid cognitive impairment. Electrophysiological, neurochemical and anatomical study in rats.

3.         Dr Chris Cremona, PhD student (University of Malta) (2016-) Project title: Revealing the Role of Cannabinoids as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Absence Epilepsy.

4.         Mr Norbert Abela, MS student (University of Malta) (2016-). Project title: Gender Differences in Long-term Damaging effects of Binge Drinking and Cannabis Abuse: an Electrophysiological, Behavioural and Neuroanatomical Study in Rats.

5.         Ms Stephanie Mari Camilleri (University of Malta) (2016-) Project title: Epigenetic effects of parental (F0) adolescent binge-drinking on adult offspring (F1) anxiety and depression traits. Psychology student.

International Grants:

R&I-2013-014, entitled ‘Closed-loop Serotonin Optogenetic Stimulation with EEG recording to Suppress Epileptic Seizures: A Therapeutic Device’ €150000 PI, GDG (AAT MT and Cardiff UK external partners). 3 years (11/2014- 10/2017).

Epilepsy Research UK grant N. P1202 entitled 'Serotonergic modulation of tonic GABA A inhibition: pathophysiological and therapeutic implications for absence seizures'. 3 years, £50,000.

Physiological Society UK. International Senior Research Grant. Dopamanine Neuronal ensemble recordings in freely moving rats. £7000.

PON (programmi operativi nazionali), Italy. "Polo Cyberbrain". Consortium (NEUROMED, IEMEST, Fondazione Nerone di Roma) €5,000,000.

Collaborators:

Prof. Vincenzo Crunelli, Cardiff University.

Prof Philippe De Deurwaerdere, Université de Bordeaux, France.

Prof Mauro Pessia, University of Malta, Malta.

Prof Giacomo Rizzolatti, University of Parma, Italy.

Biography

Giuseppe Di Giovanni received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Chieti, Italy and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, USA. Previously he was Senior Lecturer of Human Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo, and Associate Professor at the University of Malta.  From 2013 he has been Professor of Human Physiology at the Medical School of the University of Malta. His research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of monoaminergic systems using electrophysiological and neurochemical approaches. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed papers, edited 7 books and 8 special issues of various journals. He is the Coordinator of the Malta Neuroscience Network and the Vice-President of the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society (MPS). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience Methods by Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands and the Editor of the book series "The Receptors" by Springer, USA (http://www.springer.com/series/7668) and serves as associate editor for the CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics by Wiley.