Welcome to the Orlandi Lab

The main focus of the lab research is to investigate the biology of a group of understudied G protein coupled receptors (GPCR). Members of the large GPCR family are involved in the regulation of every aspect of human physiology. Because of their physiological relevance and localization at the plasma membrane GPCRs are ideal targets for drug development. Orphan GPCRs constitutes a group of receptors whose endogenous ligands are still unknown. Nonetheless, the identification of disease-causing mutations in patients together with animal studies have established the involvement of orphan GPCRs in essential physiological processes and in the onset of severe diseases. More broadly, our lab applies pharmacology, biochemistry, microscopy imaging, and proteomics to understand the role that orphan GPCRs play in shaping behavioral responses as well as the ways in which alterations in these complexes can lead to diseases.