WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Medicinal Genomics and Courtagen Life Sciences, today announced that Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, cannabis research pioneer and the "Father of Marijuana Research," will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at CannMed 2016. This first annual Personalized Cannabinoid Medicine Conference will be held at The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at The Harvard School of Medicine April 10-11, 2016. The conference will feature internationally recognized thought leaders, scientists, physicians, and advocates working to advance research into the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid therapeutics.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor Dr. Mechoulam, while welcoming some of the most brilliant minds in medicine, science and research,” said Kevin McKernan, Chief Scientific Officer of Courtagen Life Sciences. “With the recent advent of next generation sequencing and the enablement of personalized medicine, never before in history have we been as well-positioned to better understand the genetics and regulation of the endocannabinoid system. CannMed brings the exceptional opportunity for collaboration on cannabinoid-based therapies, personalized medicine, and mobile technologies.”
Dr. Mechoulam will be honored for the significant contributions he made to medical science from his lifetime of work in cannabis research. In 1963 he elucidated the structure of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most medically relevant compounds found in cannabis. Shortly thereafter, he isolated and elucidated the structure of the active component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 1964. Almost 3 decades later, in 1992 and 1995, he isolated and identified the endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, which together with specific receptors form the endocannabinoid system – a major endogenous biochemical system found in the brain and periphery that is involved in a wide range of physiological functions.
“I am honored to be receiving a lifetime achievement award from my esteemed fellow colleagues and scientists at Courtagen Life Sciences and Medicinal Genomics,” said Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. “I have spent the better part of my life decoding the mysteries that lie within this incredible plant. The collective work on the plant has now led to the identification of a major physiological system, the endocannabinoid system, which seems to be involved in many human diseases. I look forward to seeing my peers continue on with their research, further advancing the acceptance and integration of cannabinoids, in particular cannabidiol, its derivatives and specific CB2 agonists, into traditional medicine.”
Dr. Mechoulam studied Biochemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received his Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute in 1958, followed by postdoctoral research at the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in New York. Dr. Mechoulam’s research in natural plant products began in 1960 at the Weizmann Institute and then moved to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1966. Dr. Mechoulam has published more than 400 scientific papers and has received many awards for his work. In 2015, he was the subject of an hour-long biographical documentary, “The Scientist.” The CannMed Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented during the full day program of the CannMed 2016 conference on Monday, April 11th, where Dr. Mechoulam will also be featured as the keynote speaker.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Discounted rates are available for students and physicians, and for those near Boston, a special “Patriot Rate” has been created for New England attendees – use code PATRIOT with an address in MA, CT, RI, ME, NH, or VT. For additional details and to register for the conference, visit http://www.medicinalgenomics.com/CannMed2016/.
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About Medicinal Genomics Corporation
Medicinal Genomics Corporation applies state-of-the-art life science technology to Cannabis plant genetics. Our products help growers, dispensaries, and safety testing laboratories characterize and understand the quality of medicinal cannabis. Medicinal Genomics utilizes a highly sophisticated Next Generation Sequencing laboratory, bioinformatics system, and DNA based technologies to deliver unmatched technical solutions to decipher the genetic code and quality level of medicinal Cannabis. Medicinal Genomics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc. For more information, please visit http://www.medicinalgenomics.com/.
About Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc.
Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc., located in Woburn, MA, is a CLIA/CAP certified molecular information company focused on the diagnosis of a range of neurological disorders. Courtagen operates a highly sophisticated Next Generation DNA Sequencing, bioinformatics, and clinical interpretation business. Courtagen’s work helps physicians elucidate the linkages between the genotypes and phenotypes of various neurological diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.courtagen.com/.
