Associate Professor
Department of Clinical Medicine
Via O. Rossi, 9 - 21100 Varese - Italy
Tel: +39 0332 217410/397410
Fax: +39 0332 217409/397409
E-mail: marco.cosentino@uninsubria.it

Born in Voghera (Pavia), 1st june 1965.

1984-1990 – Alumnus of S. Carlo Borromeo College, Pavia (www.collegioborromeo.it);

1984-1990 - Degree in Medicine cum laude, School of Medicine, University of Pavia;

1992-1996 - PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Turin;

1988-1991 – Internship at the Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia (Head: Prof. Antonio Crema);

1992-1998 – Researcher in Pharmacology at the II Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia;

1998-2001 – Researcher in Pharmacology at the School of Medicine at the University of Insubria;

2001-present – Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the School of Medicine at the University of Insubria.

Main research interests: pharmacology of neuroimmunomodulation, nervous system-immune system interactions (in particular adrenergic and dopaminergic mechanisms and their clinical relevance in neurological disorders, anti-tumor response, autoimmunity, immune tolerance). Present studies are taking into account the physiopharmacology of the intrinsic dopaminergic/adrenergic system of human lymphocytes and its involvement in disease such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and other neural and psychiatric disorders.

Most recent results show how naturally occurring regulatory T lymphocytes be selectively modulated through activation of dopaminergic receptors by both dopaminergic agents, as well as from endogenous dopamine produced by regulatory T lymphocytes themselves. The clinical relevance of these findings is currently under evaluation in a number of fields including autoimmune disease (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis), neurodegenerative disease, neoplasms.

In view of the wide array of and dopaminergic agents currently in clinical use for various indications and of their usually favourable therapeutic index, in-depth characterization of these mechanisms could provide the rationale for further investigation examining the therapeutic potential of such agents in a number of major disease conditions. Scientific collaborations in this area include the Laboratory for Experimental Pathology, Locarno CH (Head: Prof. Georges J.M. Maestroni).

Further research interests concern neuro- and immunopharmacology, including the effects of CNS drugs on the immune response and the screening of new candidate drugs for their effects on the nervous system and/or on the immune system.

In this last regard, a recently established research area regards the pharmacology of herbs and herbal drugs, in the context of an International Collaborative Network involving the University of Insubria (I), the University of Heidelberg (D), the University of Zurich (CH), the Haute Ecole Valaisanne (CH), the Alpine Institute for Phytopharmacology (CH).

Research projects are funded by both public and private institutions, including:
- Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research;
- Regione Lombardia (UE PIC Interreg IIIA – 2000-2006);
- University of Insubria;
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org), New York, NY, USA;
- Italian Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis (www.aism.it), Genua, Italy.

School of Medicine, University of Insubria:
- Pharmacology (I.C. General pharmacology, 2nd Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery);
- Chemotherapy (I.C. Special pharmacology, 2nd Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery);
- General pharmacology (I.C. Anestesiology and pharmacology, 2nd Degree Course in Dentistry and Dental Prosthesis);
- General pharmacology and pharmacology applied to sports (1st Degree Course in Scienze Motorie);
- Pharmacology (1st Degree Course in Tecniche di Radiologia Medica, per Immagini e Radioterapia);
- Toxicology (1st Degree Course in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico).

School of Sciences:
- Clinical Pharmacology (I.C. General and clinical pharmacology, 1st Degree Course in Biotechnologies).
Courses of basic and clinical pharmacology are also given in postgraduate medical Schools of specialization and in the Research Doctorate (PhD)
Course in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology.

APPOINTMENTS
At the University of Insubria:
- Member of the Administrative Board;
- Professor in charge for counselling services and assistance to disabled students;
- President of the University Commission for Students’ Cultural and recreational Initiatives;
- Director of the Section of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Clinical Medicine
- Director of the School of specialization in Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
- Vice-Director of the Center for Research in Neurosciences;
- Member of the Center for research on dyslipidemias;
- Member of the Center for research on thromboembolic disease;
- Member of the Center for research on biotechnologies for human health;
- Member of the Center for research on dyslipidemias;
- Member of the Technical-Scientific Committee of the Central Instrument Facility for Biomedical Research;
- Member of the IRB for Animal Care and Use in Scientific Research.

Outside the University:
- Member (President) of the IRB for Human Experimentation of the Hospital S. Antonio Abate, Gallarate (VA).