Giorgia Conte

Scopus Publications

Protein-Template Gold Nanoclusters Induce Differentiation and Modify the Functional Properties of Primary Astrocytes
Advanced Nanobiomed Research, 2026
Reply to: On the interpretation of astrocytic calcium signalling with graphene oxide electrodes
Roberta Fabbri, Alessandra Scidà, Emanuela Saracino, Giorgia Conte, Alessandro Kovtun, et al.
Nature Nanotechnology, 2026
Label-Free Molecular Characterization of Protein Aggregates in Differentiated Astrocytes
Panagis D. Samolis, Chiara Lazzarini, Rahmetullah Durgun, Barbara Barile, Giorgia Conte, et al.
Advanced Science, 2026
Astrocyte cell differentiation to their characteristic starlike morphology with the expression of proteins in microdomains, critical for normal brain function, occurs naturally in‐vivo but can be affected in pathological condition or in cell culture in‐vitro. Analyzing the molecular composition and functional properties of astrocytes in a label‐free manner with sub‐micron spatial resolution can enable detailed insights into their role in brain physio‐pathology. However, simultaneous insights into any structural, molecular, and functional features in unlabelled differentiated astrocytes, without perturbing their natural environment with exogenous tags, has been limited. Using mid‐infrared photothermal imaging, an accumulation of α‐helical signatures for the extended astrocyte processes is observed in differentiated astrocytes on a nanomaterials interface. At the same time, non‐differentiated astrocytes feature a more diverse protein content, rich in β ‐sheets. Time‐resolved photothermal diffusion measurements indicate a higher interfacial thermal resistance at the astrocyte processes, connecting protein structure with thermal relaxation dynamics experimentally within the same measurement, critical for energy transport and homeostasis. This photothermal multi‐parameter characterization offers unique insights into what chemically and functionally determines healthy astrocytes, paving the way towards a deeper understanding of their differentiation mechanisms. This method allows for the detection of molecular, morphological, and functional signatures associated with pathological state of astrocytes ex‐vivo.
Corrigendum to “Opposing effects of the purinergic P2X7 receptor on seizures in neurons and microglia in male mice” [Brain Behav. Immun. 120 (2024) 121–140, (S0889159124004136), (10.1016/j.bbi.2024.05.023)]
Mariana Alves, Beatriz Gil, Javier Villegas-Salmerón, Valentina Salari, Ricardo Martins-Ferreira, et al.
Brain Behavior and Immunity, 2025
Silicon Nanowire Mats Enable Advanced Bioelectrical Recordings in Primary DRG Cell Cultures
Ivano Lucarini, Francesco Maita, Giorgia Conte, Emanuela Saracino, Francesco Formaggio, et al.
Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2025
Primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cell cultures provide a valuable model for studying in vitro sensory transduction, neuropathies, and chronic pain, as they replicate the in vivo heterogeneity of DRG neurons and non‐neuronal cells. However, traditional patch‐clamp techniques are invasive and cannot capture the collective cell dynamics. While planar multielectrode arrays (MEAs) offer a non‐invasive alternative, they suffer from poor cell‐electrode coupling and limited resolution for identifying specific DRG neuronal types like C‐fiber nociceptors, key targets in chronic pain research. This work demonstrates that silicon nanowire (SiNW) mat‐based MEAs, while maintaining their reduced invasiveness, enable continuous intracellular recordings from neurons in primary rat DRG cell cultures. Supported by a cortical astrocyte feeder layer, SiNW mats promote DRG neuron and glial cell growth preserving cells’ in vivo morphological and functional characteristics. Integrated into a compartmentalized MEA, they enable reliable recordings of drug‐modulated neuronal activity alongside a baseline related to the astrocyte layer. The recorded signals exhibit characteristics of intracellular action potentials, suggesting spontaneous intracellular access by SiNWs. Distinct electrophysiological signatures allow identifying C‐fiber nociceptors, as confirmed by patch‐clamp measurements. This platform represents a powerful tool for investigating in vitro pain mechanisms, with potential applications in preclinical pain research and pharmacological translational studies.
Astrocytes: Multiscale Molecular Targets for Glial Engineering and Interfaces
Aikaterini Konstantoulaki, Roberta Fabbri, Giorgia Conte, Chiara Lazzarini, Valentina Benfenati
Glial Engineering and Glial Interfaces Targeting the Role of Astrocytes and Other Glial Cells in Brain Function and Dysfunctions, 2025
Mid-Infrared Photothermal Imaging of Secondary Protein Structure in Differentiated Astrocytes
Panagis D. Samolis, Bahar Durgun, Chiara Lazzarini, Giorgia Conte, Barbara Barile, et al.
2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro Optics CLEO 2025, 2025
With label-free mid-infrared photothermal imaging, alpha-helical accumulations within the fibril extensions of differentiated astrocytes are identified, whereas the cell cytoplasm features a more equal expression of alpha-helical and beta-sheet structures.
Mid-Infrared Photothermal Imaging of Secondary Protein Structure in Differentiated Astrocytes
Panagis D. Samolis, Bahar Durgun, Chiara Lazzarini, Giorgia Conte, Barbara Barile, et al.
CLEO Applications and Technology Proceedings CLEO 2025, 2025
With label-free mid-infrared photothermal imaging, alpha-helical accumulations within the fibril extensions of differentiated astrocytes are identified, whereas the cell cytoplasm features a more equal expression of alpha-helical and beta-sheet structures.
P2X7R antagonism suppresses long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following traumatic brain injury in mice
Mariana Alves, Laura de Diego-Garcia, Gloria Vegliante, Oscar Moreno, Beatriz Gil, et al.
Theranostics, 2025
Purpose: Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is one of the most common life-quality reducing consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, to date there are no pharmacological approaches to predict or to prevent the development of PTE. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a cationic ATP-dependent membrane channel that is expressed throughout the brain. While increasing evidence suggests a role for the P2X7R during seizures and epilepsy, it is unclear if changes in P2X7R expression can predict TBI-induced epilepsy development, and whether P2X7R antagonism can protect against long-lasting brain hyperexcitability caused by TBI. Methods: TBI was induced in adult male mice using the controlled cortical impact model (CCI). To test the anti-epileptogenic effects of P2X7R antagonism, mice were treated with brain-penetrant P2X7R antagonists JNJ-54175446 (30 mg/kg) or AFC-5128 (30 mg/kg) for 7 days post-CCI. The cell-type specific effects of P2X7Rs on TBI-induced hyperexcitability were analyzed in mice lacking exon 2 of the P2rx7 gene selectively in microglia (P2rx7:Cx3cr1-Cre). Static positron emission tomography (PET) via an intravenous injection of the P2X7R radioligand 18F-JNJ-64413739 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted twice during the first- and third-week post-injury. Results: Following TBI, while there were no obvious changes in P2X7R protein levels in the ipsilateral hippocampus post-injury, there was a delayed increase in P2X7R protein levels in the ipsilateral cortex at 3 months post-injury. Treatment with P2X7R antagonists shortly after TBI reduced long-lasting brain hyperexcitability, reduced cortical contusion volume, and normalized injury-induced hyperactivity to control sham-levels at 3 weeks post-TBI. Notably, mice lacking P2rx7 in microglia had an increased seizure threshold after TBI, suggesting that P2X7R contributed to brain hyperexcitability via its effects on microglia. Finally, P2X7R radioligand uptake after TBI correlated with seizure threshold at 3 weeks post-injury. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the antiepileptogenic potential of P2X7R antagonism to prevent TBI-induced epilepsy and indicate that P2X7R-based PET imaging may be a useful diagnostic tool to identify people at risk of developing PTE.
Correction to: Graphene oxide electrodes enable electrical stimulation of distinct calcium signalling in brain astrocytes (Nature Nanotechnology, (2024), 19, 9, (1344-1353), 10.1038/s41565-024-01711-4)
Roberta Fabbri, Alessandra Scidà, Emanuela Saracino, Giorgia Conte, Alessandro Kovtun, et al.
Nature Nanotechnology, 2024
Graphene oxide electrodes enable electrical stimulation of distinct calcium signalling in brain astrocytes
Roberta Fabbri, Alessandra Scidà, Emanuela Saracino, Giorgia Conte, Alessandro Kovtun, et al.
Nature Nanotechnology, 2024
Opposing effects of the purinergic P2X7 receptor on seizures in neurons and microglia in male mice
Mariana Alves, Beatriz Gil, Javier Villegas-Salmerón, Valentina Salari, Ricardo Martins-Ferreira, et al.
Brain Behavior and Immunity, 2024
The P2X7 receptor contributes to seizures and inflammation-driven long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following hypoxia in neonatal mice
Jonathon Smith, Aida Menéndez Méndez, Mariana Alves, Alberto Parras, Giorgia Conte, et al.
British Journal of Pharmacology, 2023
The emerging science of Glioception: Contribution of glia in sensing, transduction, circuit integration of interoception
R. Fabbri, Diletta Spennato, Giorgia Conte, Aikaterini Konstantoulaki, C. Lazzarini, et al.
Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2023
Increased expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor reduces responsiveness to anti-convulsants during status epilepticus in mice
Edward Beamer, James Morgan, Mariana Alves, Aida Menéndez Méndez, Gareth Morris, et al.
British Journal of Pharmacology, 2022
Circulating p2x7 receptor signaling components as diagnostic biomarkers for temporal lobe epilepsy
Giorgia Conte, Aida Menéndez-Méndez, Sebastian Bauer, Hany El-Naggar, Mariana Alves, et al.
Cells, 2021
Elevated blood purine levels as a biomarker of seizures and epilepsy
Edward Beamer, Austin Lacey, Mariana Alves, Giorgia Conte, Faming Tian, et al.
Epilepsia, 2021
High concordance between hippocampal transcriptome of the mouse intra-amygdala kainic acid model and human temporal lobe epilepsy
Giorgia Conte, Alberto Parras, Mariana Alves, Ivana Ollà, Laura De Diego‐Garcia, et al.
Epilepsia, 2020
Deviant reporter expression and P2X4 passenger gene overexpression in the soluble EGFP BAC transgenic P2X7 reporter mouse model
Antonio Ramírez-Fernández, Lidia Urbina-Treviño, Giorgia Conte, Mariana Alves, Björn Rissiek, et al.
Scientific Reports, 2020
Characterization of the Expression of the ATP-Gated P2X7 Receptor Following Status Epilepticus and during Epilepsy Using a P2X7-EGFP Reporter Mouse
James Morgan, Mariana Alves, Giorgia Conte, Aida Menéndez-Méndez, Laura de Diego-Garcia, et al.
Neuroscience Bulletin, 2020
P2X7 Receptor-Dependent microRNA Expression Profile in the Brain Following Status Epilepticus in Mice
Giorgia Conte, Ngoc T. Nguyen, Mariana Alves, Laura de Diego-Garcia, Aidan Kenny, et al.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2020
Polyadenylation of mRNA as a novel regulatory mechanism of gene expression in temporal lobe epilepsy
Alberto Parras, Laura de Diego-Garcia, Mariana Alves, Edward Beamer, Giorgia Conte, et al.
Brain, 2020
On the mechanism of the electrophysiological changes and membrane lesions induced by asbestos fiber exposure in Xenopus laevis oocytes
Annalisa Bernareggi, Giorgia Conte, Andrew Constanti, Violetta Borelli, Francesca Vita, et al.
Scientific Reports, 2019
ATP release during seizures – A critical evaluation of the evidence
Edward Beamer, Giorgia Conte, Tobias Engel
Brain Research Bulletin, 2019
Context-specific switch from anti- to pro-epileptogenic function of the P2Y1 receptor in experimental epilepsy
Mariana Alves, Laura De Diego Garcia, Giorgia Conte, Eva M. Jimenez-Mateos, Beatrice D'Orsi, et al.
Journal of Neuroscience, 2019

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Corrigendum to “Opposing effects of the purinergic P2X7 receptor on seizures in neurons and microglia in male mice”[Brain Behav. Immun. 120 (2024) 121–140]
M Alves, B Gil, J Villegas-Salmerón, V Salari, R Martins-Ferreira, ...
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity , 2025
2025
P2X7R antagonism suppresses long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following traumatic brain injury in mice
M Alves, L de Diego-Garcia, G Vegliante, O Moreno, B Gil, ...
Theranostics 15 (4), 1399 , 2025
2025
Citations: 16
Opposing effects of the purinergic P2X7 receptor on seizures in neurons and microglia in male mice
M Alves, B Gil, J Villegas-Salmerón, V Salari, R Martins-Ferreira, ...
Brain, behavior, and immunity 120, 121-140 , 2024
2024
Citations: 37
The P2X7 receptor contributes to seizures and inflammation‐driven long‐lasting brain hyperexcitability following hypoxia in neonatal mice
J Smith, A Menéndez Méndez, M Alves, A Parras, G Conte, ...
British Journal of Pharmacology 180 (13), 1710-1729 , 2023
2023
Citations: 30
The P2X7 receptor contributes to seizures and inflammation-driven long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following neonatal hypoxia in mice
J Smith, AM Mendez, M Alves, A Parras, G Conte, A Bhattacharya, ...
Authorea Preprints , 2022
2022
Citations: 1
Increased expression of the ATP‐gated P2X7 receptor reduces responsiveness to anti‐convulsants during status epilepticus in mice
E Beamer, J Morgan, M Alves, A Menendez Mendez, G Morris, B Zimmer, ...
British Journal of Pharmacology 179 (12), 2986-3006 , 2022
2022
Citations: 44
Identification of the P2X7 receptor signature in the brain and in the blood following seizures and during epilepsy
G Conte
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , 2021
2021
The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor contributes to the development of drug-resistant status epilepticus in mice
E Beamer, J Morgan, M Alves, AM Mendez, G Morris, B Zimmer, G Conte, ...
authorea , 2021
2021
Circulating P2X7 receptor signaling components as diagnostic biomarkers for temporal lobe epilepsy
G Conte, A Menéndez-Méndez, S Bauer, H El-Naggar, M Alves, A Nicke, ...
Cells 10 (9), 2444 , 2021
2021
Citations: 36
Elevated blood purine levels as a biomarker of seizures and epilepsy
E Beamer, A Lacey, M Alves, G Conte, F Tian, L de Diego‐Garcia, ...
Epilepsia 62 (3), 817-828 , 2021
2021
Citations: 41
High concordance between hippocampal transcriptome of the mouse intra‐amygdala kainic acid model and human temporal lobe epilepsy
G Conte, A Parras, M Alves, I Ollà, L De Diego‐Garcia, E Beamer, ...
Epilepsia 61 (12), 2795-2810 , 2020
2020
Citations: 46
Deviant reporter expression and P2X4 passenger gene overexpression in the soluble EGFP BAC transgenic P2X7 reporter mouse model
A Ramirez-Fernandez, L Urbina-Trevino, G Conte, M Alves, B Rissiek, ...
Scientific Reports 10 (1), 19876 , 2020
2020
Citations: 29
Characterization of the expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor following status epilepticus and during epilepsy using a P2X7-EGFP reporter mouse
J Morgan, M Alves, G Conte, A Menendez-Mendez, L de Diego-Garcia, ...
Neuroscience Bulletin 36 (11), 1242-1258 , 2020
2020
Citations: 61
P2X7 receptor-dependent microRNA expression profile in the brain following status epilepticus in mice
G Conte, NT Nguyen, M Alves, L de Diego-Garcia, A Kenny, A Nicke, ...
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 13, 127 , 2020
2020
Citations: 17
Large-scale changes to mRNA polyadenylation in temporal lobe epilepsy
A Parras Rodriguez, L De Diego Garcia, M Alves, E Beamer, G Conte, ...
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , 2020
2020
Polyadenylation of mRNA as a novel regulatory mechanism of gene expression in temporal lobe epilepsy
A Parras, L de Diego-Garcia, M Alves, E Beamer, G Conte, ...
Brain 143 (7), 2139-2153 , 2020
2020
Citations: 28
High concordance between hippocampal transcriptome of the intraamygdala kainic acid model and human temporal lobe epilepsy
G Conte, A Parras, M Alves, I Ollà, L de Diego-Garcia, E Beamer, ...
bioRxiv, 2020.05. 12.092338 , 2020
2020
Comparative analysis of two bac-transgenic P2X7 reporter mouse models reveals highly divergent EGFP exression patterns
A Ramirez-Fernandez, G Conte, R Kopp, N Scalbert, B Rissiek, T Engel, ...
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 393 (SUPPL 1), 38-38 , 2020
2020
ATP release during seizures–A critical evaluation of the evidence
E Beamer, G Conte, T Engel
Brain Research Bulletin 151, 65-73 , 2019
2019
Citations: 68
Large-scale changes to mRNA polyadenylation in temporal lobe epilepsy
A Parras, L de Diego-Garcia, M Alves, E Beamer, G Conte, J Morgan, ...
bioRxiv, 725325 , 2019
2019

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

ATP release during seizures–A critical evaluation of the evidence
E Beamer, G Conte, T Engel
Brain Research Bulletin 151, 65-73 , 2019
2019
Citations: 68
Characterization of the expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor following status epilepticus and during epilepsy using a P2X7-EGFP reporter mouse
J Morgan, M Alves, G Conte, A Menendez-Mendez, L de Diego-Garcia, ...
Neuroscience Bulletin 36 (11), 1242-1258 , 2020
2020
Citations: 61
Context-Specific Switch from Anti- to Pro-epileptogenic Function of the P2Y 1 Receptor in Experimental Epilepsy
M Alves, L De Diego Garcia, G Conte, EM Jimenez-Mateos, B D'Orsi, ...
The Journal of Neuroscience 39 (27), 5377-5392 , 2019
2019
Citations: 50
High concordance between hippocampal transcriptome of the mouse intra‐amygdala kainic acid model and human temporal lobe epilepsy
G Conte, A Parras, M Alves, I Ollà, L De Diego‐Garcia, E Beamer, ...
Epilepsia 61 (12), 2795-2810 , 2020
2020
Citations: 46
Increased expression of the ATP‐gated P2X7 receptor reduces responsiveness to anti‐convulsants during status epilepticus in mice
E Beamer, J Morgan, M Alves, A Menendez Mendez, G Morris, B Zimmer, ...
British Journal of Pharmacology 179 (12), 2986-3006 , 2022
2022
Citations: 44
Elevated blood purine levels as a biomarker of seizures and epilepsy
E Beamer, A Lacey, M Alves, G Conte, F Tian, L de Diego‐Garcia, ...
Epilepsia 62 (3), 817-828 , 2021
2021
Citations: 41
Opposing effects of the purinergic P2X7 receptor on seizures in neurons and microglia in male mice
M Alves, B Gil, J Villegas-Salmerón, V Salari, R Martins-Ferreira, ...
Brain, behavior, and immunity 120, 121-140 , 2024
2024
Citations: 37
Circulating P2X7 receptor signaling components as diagnostic biomarkers for temporal lobe epilepsy
G Conte, A Menéndez-Méndez, S Bauer, H El-Naggar, M Alves, A Nicke, ...
Cells 10 (9), 2444 , 2021
2021
Citations: 36
The P2X7 receptor contributes to seizures and inflammation‐driven long‐lasting brain hyperexcitability following hypoxia in neonatal mice
J Smith, A Menéndez Méndez, M Alves, A Parras, G Conte, ...
British Journal of Pharmacology 180 (13), 1710-1729 , 2023
2023
Citations: 30
Deviant reporter expression and P2X4 passenger gene overexpression in the soluble EGFP BAC transgenic P2X7 reporter mouse model
A Ramirez-Fernandez, L Urbina-Trevino, G Conte, M Alves, B Rissiek, ...
Scientific Reports 10 (1), 19876 , 2020
2020
Citations: 29
Polyadenylation of mRNA as a novel regulatory mechanism of gene expression in temporal lobe epilepsy
A Parras, L de Diego-Garcia, M Alves, E Beamer, G Conte, ...
Brain 143 (7), 2139-2153 , 2020
2020
Citations: 28
P2X7 receptor-dependent microRNA expression profile in the brain following status epilepticus in mice
G Conte, NT Nguyen, M Alves, L de Diego-Garcia, A Kenny, A Nicke, ...
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 13, 127 , 2020
2020
Citations: 17
P2X7R antagonism suppresses long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following traumatic brain injury in mice
M Alves, L de Diego-Garcia, G Vegliante, O Moreno, B Gil, ...
Theranostics 15 (4), 1399 , 2025
2025
Citations: 16
On the mechanism of the electrophysiological changes and membrane lesions induced by asbestos fiber exposure in Xenopus laevis oocytes
A Bernareggi, G Conte, A Constanti, V Borelli, F Vita, G Zabucchi
Scientific Reports 9 (1), 2014 , 2019
2019
Citations: 8
The P2X7 receptor contributes to seizures and inflammation-driven long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following neonatal hypoxia in mice
J Smith, AM Mendez, M Alves, A Parras, G Conte, A Bhattacharya, ...
Authorea Preprints , 2022
2022
Citations: 1
Corrigendum to “Opposing effects of the purinergic P2X7 receptor on seizures in neurons and microglia in male mice”[Brain Behav. Immun. 120 (2024) 121–140]
M Alves, B Gil, J Villegas-Salmerón, V Salari, R Martins-Ferreira, ...
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity , 2025
2025
Identification of the P2X7 receptor signature in the brain and in the blood following seizures and during epilepsy
G Conte
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , 2021
2021
The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor contributes to the development of drug-resistant status epilepticus in mice
E Beamer, J Morgan, M Alves, AM Mendez, G Morris, B Zimmer, G Conte, ...
authorea , 2021
2021
Large-scale changes to mRNA polyadenylation in temporal lobe epilepsy
A Parras Rodriguez, L De Diego Garcia, M Alves, E Beamer, G Conte, ...
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , 2020
2020
High concordance between hippocampal transcriptome of the intraamygdala kainic acid model and human temporal lobe epilepsy
G Conte, A Parras, M Alves, I Ollà, L de Diego-Garcia, E Beamer, ...
bioRxiv, 2020.05. 12.092338 , 2020
2020

Giorgia Conte

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Scopus Publications

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS