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NDARC Seminar: Associate Professor David Allsop & Associate Professor Jonathan Arnold – Transforming the story of medicinal cannabinoids: from Rope to Dope to Hope

Image - NDARC Seminar: Associate Professor David Allsop & Associate Professor Jonathan Arnold – Transforming the story of medicinal cannabinoids: from Rope to Dope to Hope
Date Published:
14 Apr 2016
Contact person:
NDARC reception +61 (2) 9385 0333
Event date: 
Thursday, 14 April 2016 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre is pleased to present:

Associate Professor David Allsop & Associate Professor Jonathan Arnold
(The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Sydney University)

“Transforming the story of medicinal cannabinoids: from Rope to Dope to Hope"

Thursday 14 April, 3pm - 4pm

Abstract:

This joint presentation by the associate directors of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics will provide an overview of the unfolding research program in medical cannabis at Sydney University.

Formed in 2015 by a generous philanthropic gift, the Lambert Initiative aims to transform the story of medicinal cannabis. The research program is being planned to align with the 10-year timeframe of the gift, and will explore the potential of compounds derived from the cannabis plant (cannabinoids) in treating a range of diseases. The approach will involve medicinal chemistry, cellular and preclinical research, early human testing and clinical trials in patients. The Lambert Initiative will also translate research outcomes into practice by providing training to health professionals and engaging consumer organisations and media to educate the public and transform current policy where appropriate. Our overall aim is to optimise and introduce safe and effective cannabinoid therapeutics into mainstream medicine in Australia and beyond. We will target a range of conditions including paediatric epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, obesity, dementia and mental health disorders, including but not limited to the addictions.

About the speakers:

David Allsop is an Associate Professor in Psychopharmacology at the University of Sydney. David’s research has focused on cannabis dependence and its treatment in humans, working under the supervision of Professor Jan Copeland at NCPIC until 2013 where he was researching cannabis withdrawal effects associated with quitting cannabis. This body of work led to the production of the first iteration of a clinical measurement scale for cannabis withdrawal, and a successful clinical trial where cannabinoids were delivered to humans for the first time in Australia in a clinical setting. David has published widely in the area of cannabis and cannabinoids and has authored several book chapters and papers on the history of cannabis research and the pharmacology of medicinal cannabis. In 2015 David was appointed as the associate clinical director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, where he is pursuing his interest in expanding the evidence base for cannabinoid therapeutics.

Jonathon Arnold is an Associate Professor in Pharmacology at the University of Sydney. He has 54 career publications. Jonathon’s research has focused on the preclinical pharmacology and therapeutic application of the cannabinoids. His first major discovery was that phytocannabinoids reverse resistance to anticancer drugs in cancer cells. Using mouse models he isolated genes that modulate the effects of cannabinoids on the brain and behaviour such as NRG1 and ABCC1. His research in adipocytes, rats and humans demonstrated the cannabinoid re-intoxication phenomenon – that fat breakdown caused by dieting or exercise stimulates release of THC from fat stores elevating blood THC concentrations. He was appointed as Associate Director of Preclinical Research in the Lambert Initiative of Cannabinoid Therapeutics in 2015. His current work examines the efficacy of cannabinoids in various preclinical models of disease including refractory epilepsy and PTSD.

Open to: 
Public
Location: 
NDARC Seminar Room Building R1, UNSW Australia Randwick Campus, 22 - 32 King Street, Randwick (visitors please report to reception at building R3)
Cost: 
Free - no booking required
Booking deadline: 
Contact for inquiries: 
NDARC reception +61 (2) 9385 0333