Category: Science & Medicine

The Kimonis Laboratory is a molecular genetics lab within the Division of Genetics & Genomic Medicine at UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.  Dr. Kimonis discovered an important inherited muscle disorder that occured in combination with Paget disease of the bone and early onset of frontotemporal dementia.

My research is focused on understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression required for long-lasting changes in behavior as related to drug-seeking and drug-associated memory processes. Current collaborative studies involve examination of how cannabis affects epigenetic mechanisms to induce persistent changes in neuronal function and ultimately behavior.

My laboratory uses comprehensive approaches including molecular biology, animal physiology, metabolomics, epigenetics and proteomic analysis to investigate the mechanisms for insulin resistance and energy expenditure in obesity and type 2 diabetes. We will apply these approaches to study the impact of cannabis on metabolism under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

My research is focused on the endocannabinoid system in the brain. More specifically, I have been studying molecular mechanisms controlling the biosynthesis and inactivation of endocannabinoid 2-AG. Moving forward, my study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which early-life cannabinoid exposure affects brain 2-AG signaling and causes persistent cognitive impairment.

Christopher Reist, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and Professor in Residence at the University of California, Irvine. He serves as the Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Long Beach VA Healthcare System where he oversees the facility’s research infrastructure supporting a broad portfolio of basic and clinical research. He has been at the forefront of clinical trials utilizing novel approaches for treating PTSD including augmentation of psychotherapy using virtual environments and cognitive enhancers and new somatic methods such as stellate ganglion blockade and trigeminal nerve stimulation. Dr. Reist will bring his expertise to develop a better understanding of the role of cannabis in alleviating suffering for civilians and Veterans with PTSD.

My research in diabetes is focused on alternative source of pancreatic islets for transplant, including stem cells, and using plant chemicals to improve blood glucose response. I plan to study the impact of cannabis on differentiation of stem cells to beta cells, and to suppress autoimmune response in diabetes.

My research explores using cannabis as a supplement to improve patients’ function as they decrease their opioid use. The interaction between the endocannabinoid and opioidergic systems has been shown in animal models, and I am investigating the type of cannabis physicians should recommend to improve the health and activity level of their patients.