CannMed Coffee Talk Medicinal Genomics

Dr. Shannon Smith received his PhD in molecular biosciences from Middle Tennessee State University. There his research focused on plant biotechnology, with work in Cannabis, Panax, and Vitis tissue culture and manipulation. This led to the development of new and unique technologies for the production of both plants and secondary metabolites. He later founded Greenway Lab, a plant biotech company that collaborates with agricultural partners to implement plant biotech solutions to botanical challenges facing the modern agricultural industry.







During our conversation, we discuss:









How recent advances in plant tissue culture can address major problems faced by the Cannabis industry







How rapid, reliable propagation of identical daughter plants can be achieved in tissue culture







How long-term storage of explant tissues can be used to regenerate whole plants







How developments in meristematic tissue culture protocols can eliminate viral contamination of plant tissues







And more!









Additional Resources









Greenwaylab.co







dr.smith@gwlabtn.com







Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Tissue Culture: Present Status and Future Potential







Cryopreservation of 13 Commercial Cannabis sativa Genotypes Using In Vitro Nodal Explants







Initiation, growth and cryopreservation of plant cell suspension cultures







ELIMINATION OF HOP LATENT VIROID FROM HOP PLANTS BY COLD TREATMENT AND MERISTEM TIP CULTURE







Under siege: virus control in plant meristems and progeny

Tim Lefever is the Director of Discovery at Nalu Bio. He is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of 20+ years of preclinical in vivo research and leading effective teams at organizations such as Canopy Growth and Research Triangle Institute. He has authored or co-authored numerous manuscripts and presented research findings at a variety of scientific conferences over the past 20 years.







At CannMed 24, Tim will present "Characterization of Less Studied Cannabis Phytochemicals” which investigates the pharmacological, physicochemical, and basic toxicological characteristics of cannabis phytochemicals. During our conversation, we discuss:









How Tim and his team choose which phytochemicals to study







What makes the varin cannabinoids particularly interesting







The difference between chemically derived compounds vs plant-derived compounds







Which phytochemicals show the most promise







Modifying phytochemicals to improve their effectiveness









Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Brains Bioceutical







Brains Bioceutical is a global leader in EU-GMP-certified production of naturally-sourced active pharmaceutical ingredients for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. With a unique suite of licences, Brains Bioceutical is one of the only natural plant-based phytochemical API manufacturers in commercial production today, and is involved in academic and clinical trials across the globe. Learn more at brainsbioceutical.com







Additional Resources









nalubio.com







Register for CannMed 24







What Makes CannMed Unique and Why You Don’t Want to Miss It







Review the Podcast!







CannMed Archive

Dr. Kimberly Gwinn is a Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee. Her lab currently investigates natural products that are produced by plants and microbes and their uses as medicines and as bio-pesticides. 







At CannMed 24 she will present Hemp Processing by-products as Biopesticides which describes her team’s work using terpene-rich industrial hemp by-products to control plant diseases and pests. 







We discuss: 









Why terpenes are effective biopesticides 







Which pathogens and pests terepene-rich biopesticide can fight 







What are nanaemulsions and why they are important in this application 







How this technology can open up a new revenue stream for growers 







The regulatory lift for getting biopesticides approved 







and more 









Thanks to this episode’s Sponsor: Rare Earth Genomics. 







Rare Earth Genomics is a dynamic partnership formed with Texas A&M AgriLife, one of the world’s leading research institutions, to accelerate hemp research and create tools for farmers. Their mission is to increase the likelihood of a successful harvest for farmers through genetic analysis and rigorous environmental testing of vigorous cultivars. 







learn more at rareearchgenomics.com 







Additional Resources









Register for CannMed 24







What Makes CannMed Unique and Why You Don’t Want to Miss It







Review the Podcast!







CannMed Archive

Megan Mbengue is the revolutionary force behind Trusted Canna Nurse. Recognizing a gap between elderly patients and cannabis, Megan sought to provide that demographic with the extra hand-holding and guidance they need to have the best possible experience. With over a decade of nursing experience in diverse fields like oncology, labor delivery, and hospice care, she brings a unique perspective to her practice.







At CannMed 24 Megan will be participating in a Cannabis Nursing Panel and presenting a poster titled “Microdosing Psilocybin for Cannabis Dependency: A Nurse Led Intervention” 







During our conversation, we discuss: 









The important role nurses play in cannabis medicine







How brands can tap into the expertise cannabis nurses have







How psilocybin can be used to treat addictive behavior 







The results from Trusted Canna Nurses 6-week beta for using psilocybin to treat cannabis dependency 







and more 









Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Trusted Canna Nurse







Trusted Canna Nurse was founded by Megan Mbengue and Ariane Williams, two nurses who are dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional medicine and the world of cannabis and psychedelics. They specialize in creating evidence-based treatment plans for all ages that address chronic illnesses, treatment-resistant conditions, mental health, autism, and more. 







Learn more at trustedcannanurse.com 







Additional Resources









Register for CannMed 24







What Makes CannMed Unique and Why You Don’t Want to Miss It







Review the Podcast!







CannMed Archive

TJ Martin is the VP of R&D at Abstrax, a company that specializes in the research, development, and production of botanically derived and cannabis-inspired terpenes. 







TJ and his team recently published a paper that identified several non-terpenoid compounds that are responsible for the unique aromas associated with exotic cannabis varieties, including the berry, tropical, candy, and fruity notes found in Zkittlez and Gelato as well as the rich, intense, chemical scents found in GMO. This research opens up a new world of aromatic compounds and challenges the idea of classifying cultivars based on terpenes alone. 







We discuss:









How cannabis aroma affects consumer and patient experience 







The variety of aromas the cannabis plant can produce and how it compares to other plants 







Define exotic cannabis varieties and compare them to more prototypical cultivars 







Why terpenes alone do not tell the entire aroma story in exotic cannabis varieties 







How to communicate information about non-terpeninoid compounds to consumers and patients in a meaningful way 









Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Agilent Technologies







Whether you manufacture or test cannabis, you face the challenge of delivering high-quality products, increasing sample volume, and meeting emerging regulations. Agilent offers best-in-class cannabis and hemp analysis solutions featuring robust instruments, software, services, and consumables. Their team of experts can develop, implement, and optimize methods to get you up and running quickly.







Learn more at agilent.com







Additional Resources









Minor, Nonterpenoid Volatile Compounds Drive the Aroma Differences of Exotic Cannabis







Abstraxtech.com 







[Podcast] Discovering New Aromatic Compounds in Cannabis with TJ Martin







Cannasulfur Compounds: A New Class of Secondary Metabolites Discovered in Cannabis







Cannabis Aroma Predicts User Experience with Adie Rae, PhD







The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC Mediates the Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower







Register for CannMed 24







What Makes CannMed Unique and Why You Don’t Want to Miss It







Review the Podcast!







CannMed Archive

Dr. Dustin Sulak is a traditional osteopathic physician and expert in integrative medicine. His clinical practice in Maine focuses on treating refractory conditions in adults and children. Dr. Sulak is an internationally-renowned expert in medical cannabis, the author of Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice, and co-founder of Healer, a medical cannabis education resource and products company. He serves on the board of directors of The Society of Cannabis Clinicians and is a passionate educator and leader in the medical cannabis field.







Dustin is also a true CannMed veteran, having participated in every CannMed event dating back to our first conference at Harvard Medical School. He returns to CannMed 24 this year as one of the medical practicum instructors and an oral presenter, presenting “The Art and Science of Combining Cannabinoids for Treatment Success” *







We discuss:









What attendees can expect from CannMed Medical Practicum







The expansion of avialble cannabinoids and how Dustin evaluates new options







Which Cannabinoid Dustin would choose if he could only use one to treat patients







The difference between acidic and neutral forms of cannabinoids







The process for combining cannabinoids







Challenging old assumptions about the benefits of combining CBD and THC









Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Healer







Healer is a trusted, physician-developed medical cannabis brand founded to address the challenges of helping patients and health providers get the best results with safe, reliably dosable products and education on how to best use them. Healer’s distinctive product formulations and educational material are based on the work of leading cannabis clinician, Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O.







Learn More at healer.com







Additional Resources









Healer.com







Register for CannMed 24







What Makes CannMed Unique and Why You Don’t Want to Miss It







Review the Podcast!







CannMed Archive