BIOLOGY OF CANNABIS
Our research group is integrated by teachers and researchers from the Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas and the Departmento de Biología, both departments belonging to the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales of the Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. We started working on Cannabis in 2017, with the creation of the University Extension Group “Conciencia Cannabis” (OCA 1860/17). The major aim of the group was to establish a space where the scientific community could interact with healthcare professionals, members of civil associations dedicated to Cannabis and different levels of the judiciary. Our objective is to formalize and disseminate knowledge about Cannabis derivatives for therapeutic uses. In this context we carry out activities aimed at different society sectors as well as scientific research in the plant biochemistry area. Since 2021 we have been constituted as a research group, developing the following topics:
Research lines
- Analytical Biochemistry for the characterization of Cannabis strain based both on the identification and quantification of their active principles (cannabinoids and terpenes).
- Genetic and morpho-anatomical characterization of different varieties of Cannabis.
- Study of the biological properties of the active principles that improve value to Cannabis derivatives.
- Analysis of biomass production in relation to environmental conditions.
- Optimizations of seed production and its germination processes.
Financial support
Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT)
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)
We also provides High Level Technological Services:
- Analysis of cannabinoids in samples of medicinal Cannabis oil by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Morphological and Chemical characterization of Cannabis sativa plants
Members
Débora Nercessian
Director
Associate Researcher CONICET and teacher FCEyN-UNMdP
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+54 0223 4753030
Débora directs projects associated with the study of biological properties of the active principles of the Cannabis plant aimed at its applications in the health and productive sectors.
Julieta Mendieta
Co-Director
Independent Researcher CIC-PBA and teacher FCEyN-UNMdP
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+54 0223 4753030
Julieta studies the biological properties of the bioactive compounds of Cannabis sativa, focused on the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Also, she investigates the obtaining, conservation and stability of Cannabis sativa preparations.
María Daniela Villamonte
Professional Support Staff CONICET
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+54 0223 4753030
Daniela has worked for several years as leader of quality control in the pharmaceutical industry and has vast experience in the analysis of physicochemical parameters of biological samples through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). She develops analytical methodologies to the identification and quantification of cannabinoids in different experimental systems.
Silvana L. Colman
nResearcher and teacher FCEyN-UNMdP
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Silvana works on the characterization of genetic diversity of local varieties of C. sativa. She has expertise in bioassays to evaluate growth, performance and health of Cannabis plants. In addition, she works in science communication to promote the knowledge of therapeutic Cannabis
María Cristina Lombardo
Professional Support Staff CONICET and teacher FCEyN-UNMdP
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Cristina works on the morpho-anatomical characterization of C. sativa plants that allow differentiating local varieties for therapeutic use. Her expertise includes the processing of plant samples for herbization, preservation, inclusion and assembly through the use of precision equipment such as microtomes, scanning microscope and confocal microscope. Additionally, she is an expert in the use of different cell markers and specific cell- stains.
Sebastian D’Ippólito
Assistant Researcher CONICET and teacher FCEyN-UNMdP
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+54 0223 4753030
Sebastián is working on the germinative process of C. sativa seeds. He is interested in optimizing the germination conditions of different local varieties of Cannabis. Also, he studies the priming effect of physiological and environmental conditions on seedling growth and development. On the other hand, he is working on optimizing seed production through masculinization and controlled fertilization techniques.
Eugenia Vozza Berardo
PhD Student
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+54 0223 4753030
Eugenia is interested in the study of the different biological properties present in the cannabinoids extracted from different organs of C. sativa. She is working on the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory capacity of such molecules. In addition, Eugenia is interested on the formation of nanoparticles to add value to therapeutic products derived from Cannabis
César Nicolás Pegoraro
Researcher and teacher FCEyN-UNMdP
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César evaluates and optimizes different extraction methods of the volatile fractions of active compounds of C. sativa plants.