Track:
BIOLOGY, GENETICS AND CHEMISTRY
Sessions & Session Descriptions:
Cannabis Comparative Genomics
Cannabis genomes are large (850-900 Mb) and complex. They are diploid (2n=2x=10) and dioecious, with nine pairs of autosomes plus a pair of sex chromosomes. Females possess two X chromosomes, while males are XY. Cannabis genomes are tolerant of ploidy manipulation. Chemical treatment can be used to induce tetraploidy, and crosses between tetraploids and diploids can be used to produce sterile triploid. Cannabis chromosomes possess remarkable features that distinguish them from other plant taxa. The chromosome arms are densely packed with transposable elements. Genes tend to be concentrated in sub-telomeric regions. Genes encoding enzymes of the cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway are concentrated on chromosome 7.
Cannabis comparative genomic studies have provided fascinating insights into Cannabis biology, evolutionary history, and the effects of breeding and natural selection. This session will feature comparative genomics of Cannabis at the whole genome, chromosome, and gene levels. Similarities and differences between Cannabis and other species within and outside the Cannabaceae family will be explored.
Cannabis Genetics and Biochemistry - Recent Trends in Crop Improvement
The cultivation of cannabis has undergone a transformative shift with the increasing recognition of its potential for medicinal and recreational use, but also as a sustainable raw material. Breeders are playing a pivotal role in selecting and enhancing specific chemotypes to cater to a spectrum of consumer needs, such as therapeutic efficacy, flavor profiles, and desired psychoactive effects. Simultaneously, attention is directed towards optimizing agronomic traits for sustainable cultivation, including resistance to pests and diseases, adaptability to varying environmental conditions, and/or fiber quality. This session highlights methodologies employed in cannabis breeding, encompassing traditional breeding techniques as well as cutting-edge genetic and genomic approaches. In addition to providing a concise overview of the dynamic landscape of cannabis breeding, efforts to characterize the biochemistry underlying key traits will also be featured, thereby highlighting cutting-edge research to meet diverse market demands, promote sustainable cultivation practices, and contribute to the broader understanding of this versatile plant.
Cannabis Pests and Diseases: Diversity, Detection and Management
Cannabis sativa L. is one of the oldest crops in the world, and yet there are significant knowledge gaps about pests and diseases that can hinder the development of sustainable management practices. This proposed session will focus on the diversity of insect pests and pathogens affecting C. sativa encompassing both hemp (<0.3% THC) and cannabis/marijuana (>0.3% THC), diagnostic techniques, impact on yield and quality including cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites, biological and molecular interactions between pests/pathogens and management options. The outcomes of this symposium will be a greater understanding of the pests and pathogens of C. sativa which can help guide future research directions. This session will include researchers from all backgrounds, including students, post-docs, faculty, and industry.
Emerging Threats: Fusarium Mycotoxins in Hemp and Cannabis
Fusarium spp. are known to cause yield loss in plants and health hazards in humans and animals. Plant disease and mycotoxin risks caused by Fusarium spp. have flown under the radar until recently. Currently, there is limited to no testing of biomass or postharvest products for Fusarium contaminants or toxins across the cannabis industry. In this session, we will introduce Fusarium as an emerging threat and describe the most recent research. Our research team consists of experts in plant production, food safety, and bioaerosols. This session will consist of: Nicole Gauthier, Professor, University of Kentucky, moderator; Henry Smith, graduate student at the University of Kentucky, Fusarium diseases in field production; Kimberly Gwinn, Professor, University of Tennessee, mycotoxin detection in consumer products; and Tess Eidem, microbiologist, University of Colorado Boulder, aerial dispersal and grower risk in indoor environments.
Genomic, Phenomic, and Germplasm Resources
The past decade has seen a surge in available genomic, phenomic, and germplasm resources for cannabis research including a pangenome, molecular markers for key traits, genotyping platforms, standardized phenotyping descriptors and methods, and breeding populations and diversity panels. This session invites submissions that explore the development, accessibility, and application of these resources, as well as gaps that remain. By effectively leveraging genomic, phenomic, and germplasm tools, we can address key challenges and advance the full potential of this versatile crop.
Novel Approaches to Extraction, Isolation, and Application of Phytochemicals from the Cannabis Plant
The cannabis plant has long been recognized for its diverse array of bioactive phytochemicals, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other secondary metabolites. These compounds have garnered significant attention due to their potential therapeutic properties, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, neuroprotective effects, and modulation of the endocannabinoid system. Although, legalization of recreational and medicinal cannabis has been in place in some states for more than one or two decades, respectively, increasing interest is basic and applied research in phytochemicals derived from Cannabis sativa continues. Despite this increasing interest, the extraction, isolation, and application of these compounds for therapeutic applications remain challenging due to the complex chemical profile of extracts and the need for isolation of individual or known mixtures of bioactive compounds for further rigorous testing. Presentations will span the topics of novel extraction and isolation of well characterized cannabinoids and terpenes as well as novel phytochemicals to the preclinical exploration of therapeutic application of cannabis derived compounds to treat diseases and disorders.