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Orlandi Lab

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.

The Orlandi Lab is currently accepting rotation graduate students. Students interested in setting up a rotation should contact Dr. Orlandi with CV and research interests.

Undergraduate students interested in exploring the role of orphan GPCRs in neurophysiological process should contact Dr. Orlandi with CV and research interests. Students with backgrounds in molecular biology, biochemistry, or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Lab Members

Research

Student Advising Statement

Publications

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1. Kundu D
2. Franchini L
3. Hasdemir HS
4. Lloyd E
5. Maturano J
6. Rabl K
7. Denissiouk AN
8. Schumacher M
9. Sarlah D
10. Hellman J
11. Tajkhorshid E
12. Orlandi C
13. Das A
Distinct Interactions of Cannabinol and Its Cytochrome P450-Generated Metabolites with Receptors and Sensory Neurons.; Journal of medicinal chemistry. 2025 Jun 26.
1. Takano T
2. Franchini L
3. Wagner LE
4. Cooley M
5. Groblewski GE
6. Orlandi C
7. Yule DI
Pancreatic acinar cell signalling and function exhibit an absolute requirement for activation of Gαq.; The Journal of physiology. 2025 Jun 25.
1. Franchini L
2. Porter JJ
3. Lueck JD
4. Orlandi C
GzESTY as an optimized cell-based assay for initial steps in GPCR deorphanization.; Nature communications; Vol 16(1), pp. 4521. 2025 May 15.
1. Kwon J
2. Kawase H
3. Mattonet K
4. Guenther S
5. Hahnefeld L
6. Shamsara J
7. Heering J
8. Kurz M
9. Kirchhofer S
10. Krasel C
11. Ulrich M
12. Persechino M
13. Murthy S
14. Orlandi C
15. Sadik CD
16. Geisslinger G
17. Bünemann M
18. Kolb P
19. Offermanns S
20. Wettschureck N
Orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPRC5B controls macrophage function by facilitating prostaglandin E receptor 2 signaling.; Nature communications; Vol 16(1), pp. 1448. 2025 Feb 07.
1. Franchini L
2. Porter JJ
3. Lueck JD
4. Orlandi C
Gz Enhanced Signal Transduction assaY (G Z ESTY) for GPCR deorphanization.; bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. 2024 Jul 26.
1. Franchini L
2. Orlandi C
Deorphanization of G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): a historical perspective.; Molecular pharmacology. 2024 Apr 15.
1. Alabdali R
2. Franchini L
3. Orlandi C
Gα protein signaling bias at 5-HT1A receptor.; Molecular pharmacology. 2023 Aug 11.
1. Franchini L
2. Orlandi C
Probing the orphan receptors: Tools and directions.; Progress in molecular biology and translational science; Vol 195, pp. 47-76. 2022 Jul 13.

Affiliations

Contact Us

Orlandi Lab
601 Elmwood Ave
Rochester, NY 14642

Cesare_Orlandi@urmc.rochester.edu

(585) 275-6613