Thread: questions..please give me feedback!

Ok here is my situation. I want to be a research scientist with a specialty in marijuana. I'm just having some trouble figuring out the steps to get there. This is what I have so far. Major in Biological Sciences, cell and molecular emphasis. Following completion of this degree, I was considering a career in plant agricultural sciences. Further studying the effects of cannabinoids on humans and our endocannabinoid system.

Does all of this sound like I'm headed in the right direction for one who wishes to study marijuana extinsively? Pleease tell me what you think, and any suggestions and information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If you are interested in the effects of cannabinoids on humans then you might want to consider looking in areas such as toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, neuroscience etc.

Dear Sully,

You might be interested in a PhD project like this one:

***The effectsof cannabinoids on chrondrocyte metabolism

A key feature of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is loss of articular cartilage which contributes to the pain and joint deformity experienced by patients and is mediated in part by chondrocytes themselves. This PhD Studentship is available to study the effects of cannabinoids on chondrocyte metabolism with the aim of determining their ability to reduce cartilage breakdown and promote repair, chondroprotective effects, and therefore potential as anti-arthritic agents. We are also interested in the production of endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) by chondrocytes as modulation of endocannabinoids may be an alternative therapeutic approach to giving exogenous cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are probably best known for their psychoactive effects, however they also have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. In studies using animal models of arthritis, non-psychogenic cannabinoids have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce tissue damage (Malfait et al, 2000). We have also shown that synthetic cannabinoids inhibit inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1)-stimulated collagen and proteoglycan breakdown in bovine nasal cartilage explants and IL-1-stimulated production of proinflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide by bovine articular chondrocytes (Mbvundula et al, 2005, 2006). We are particularly interested in these and other chondroprotective effects and how they are mediated as this will enable evaluation of their potential value as therapeutic agents.

The project will involve:-
• studies of both synthetic and endocannabinoids on the cartilage degradative effects of IL-1;
• studies of the receptors which mediate these effects;
• studies of the production and modulation of endocannabinoids by chondrocytes.

Techniques used in these studies will include extensive cell culture of both bovine and human chondrocytes, RNA extraction, reverse transcription and real-time PCR, SDS-PAGE and western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISAs and mass spectrometry.

You should be well motivated and capable of working independently. A strong interest and background in cell biology and molecular biology is essential and an interest in connective tissue biology and experience of cell culture and molecular biology techniques advantageous. However training will be given for specialist techniques required for this project. You would be part of the Biomedical Research Centre and have access to its range of specialist equipment.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Dr Rowena Bunning or Dr Christine Le Maitre by e-mail: r.a.bunning@shu.ac.uk or C.Lemaitre@shu.ac.uk or by phone (0114 225 3012 or 0114 225 6163). More information about the Biomedical Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University can be found at http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/bmrc/ .

Funding Notes
The studentship is available from Sept 2010 for a term of 3 years. You must have, or expect to be awarded a BSc (Hons) 1st, 2:1 or equivalent in a related discipline.

The studentship is fully funded at £13,650 yr 1, with cost of living increases in years 2 and 3.***

Best wishes,

Tridimity