Cannabinoid Translational Science Symposium – 2026 Edition

The 2nd Cannabinoid Translational Science Symposium will be held remotely in February 2026, on:
Wednesday 11th, Wednesday 18th, and Wednesday 25th.

This year’s program brings together world-leading experts to explore the endocannabinoid system from multiple perspectives — spanning chemistry, pharmacology, physiology, and therapeutic applications. Through keynote lectures, poster sessions, and interactive discussion forums, the symposium will foster dialogue across disciplines and time zones, highlighting both fundamental discoveries and translational opportunities.

Each day will feature contributions from internationally recognized scientists, selected oral presentations, and lively roundtable discussions designed to promote exchange and collaboration.

The three-day program will focus on:

Chemical Probes and Pharmacology – Advances in molecular tools and global perspectives in cannabinoid research
Endocannabinoid Signaling in Health and Disease – Intersections with brain, inflammation, metabolism, and strategies for therapeutic targeting
From Receptors to Medicine – Linking cannabinoid receptor signaling to cognition and translating discoveries into therapeutic applications

Chairs:

Alessia Ligresti and Marialessandra Contino

Scientific committee:

Carmen Abate (UniBA), Angela Stefanachi (UniBa), Giuseppe Mangiatordi (CNR)

Organizing committee:

Daniela Esposito (CNR), Giovanni Graziano (UniBA), Maria Giovanna Eva Papadopoulos (CNR), Marco Allarà (CNR)

Discover all the editions

2026 - 2025

SYMPOSIUM AGENDA 2026

11th February 2026

DAY 1

Session 1: Chemical Probes and Molecular Pharmacology of the Endocannabinoid System

9.10-9.20 – Welcoming (Alessia Ligresti and Marialessandra Contino)

9.20-9.30 – Opening address – Maria Laura Bolognesi, Vice President of the Italian Chemical Society

Chairs: Marialessandra Contino and Cristina Sanchez

9.30 – Prof. Mario van der Stelt (University of Leiden)
Chemical proteomic approaches to study the endocannabinoid system

10.00 – Prof. Gemma Navarro (University of Barcelona)
Neuroprotective role of cannabinoid system

10.30 – Prof. Melanie Kelly (Dalhousie University)
Cannabinoids & other novel therapeutics for ocular pain and inflammation

10.45 – Prof. Federica Pellati (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
Therapeutic potential of natural and nature-inspired compounds from Cannabis sativa L. for neuropathic pain

11.00-12.00 – Round table: discussion forum

12.00-12.45 – Poster session: video presentations and Q&A
Chair: Carmen Abate

BREAK (12:45 – 14:20)

Session 2: Insights and Global Health Perspectives in Cannabinoid Research

14.20-14.30 – Introducing Alessia Ligresti and Marialessandra Contino
Chairs: Alessia Ligresti and Raquel Peyraube

14.30 – Prof. Daniele Piomelli (University of California)
Persistent impact of adolescence THC exposure on brain function and health

15.00 – Prof. Robert Laprairie (University of Saskatchewan)
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of minor cannabinoids and cannabinoid mixtures: looking beyond the cannabinoid receptors

15.30 – Dr. Sandra Carillo (Universidad de Panamá)
>Cannabinoid therapies safety and side effects

16-17.00 – Round table: discussion forum

18th February 2026

DAY 2

Session 1: Endocannabinoid Signaling at the Crossroads of Brain, Inflammation, and Metabolism

9.20-9.30 – Welcoming (Alessia Ligresti and Marialessandra Contino)

Chairs: Alessia Ligresti and Katarzyna Starowicz

9.30 – Prof. Jürg Gertsch (University of Bern)
Potential role of minor cannabinoids in medical cannabis

10.00 – Prof. David Finn (University of Galway)
Endocannabinoids and pain: new evidence from preclinical and clinical studies

10.30 – Dr. Tony Jourdan (University of Burgundy and Franche-Comté)
Endocannabinoids and diabesity: a love-hate story

10.45 – Dr. Elisa J.M. de Koning (University of Leiden)
Exploring biased signaling of clinical agonists for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor with a novel functional multiplex assay

11.00-12.00 – Round table: discussion forum

12.00-12.45 – Poster session: video presentations and Q&A
Chair: Angela Stefanachi

BREAK (12:45 – 14:20)

Session 2: Targeting the Endocannabinoid System: From Molecular Design to Functional Outcomes

14.20-14.30 – Introducing Alessia Ligresti and Marialessandra Contino
Chairs: Alessia Ligresti and Pal Pacher

14.30 – Prof. Marc Nazarè (Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology)
Tailoring chemical probes for the visualization of the endocannabinoid system

15.00 – Prof. Aron H. Lichtman (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Endocannabinoid-based strategies to treat pain

15.30 – Prof. Julian Romero (Universidad Francisco de Victoria)
Endocannabinoid regulation of microglial function in acute and chronic neuroinflammation

16-17.00 – Round table: discussion forum

25th February 2026

DAY 3

Session 1: Cannabinoid Receptor Signaling: Linking Chemistry, Circuits, and Cognition

9.20-9.30 – Welcoming (Alessia Ligresti and Marialessandra Contino)

Chairs: Marialessandra Contino and Mauro Maccarrone

9.30 – Dr. Maria Majellaro (Celtarys Research SL)
Navigating the medicinal chemistry and chemical biology of cannabinoid receptors through multicomponent approaches

10.00 – Prof. Giovanni Marsicano (INSERM)
CB1 receptor signalling in the brain: extracting specificity from ubiquity

10.30 – Prof. Emma Puighermanal (Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona)
Targeting genetic encephalopathies with cannabinoid-based therapies

10.45 – Alix Flake (University of Würzburg)
Design and Synthesis of Molecular Probes for Target Fishing based on Neuroprotective Cannabinoids

11.00-12.00 – Round table: discussion forum

12.00-12.45 – Poster session: video presentations and Q&A
Chair: Giuseppe Felice Mangiatordi

BREAK (12:45 – 14:20)