What Unlocking the Genomes of Marijuana Strains Tells Us – Westword

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Marijuana research has been federally legal in Israel for decades.

Jacqueline Collins

Colorado had a head start in that race in the United States, but medical marijuana research has been federally legal in Israel for decades, and some seriously interesting stuff about the cannabis genome is being discovered there. To get up to speed, we caught up with Lior Chatow, a lead researcher at Israel-based cannabis research and development facility Eybna.

Westword: What exactly are genomes, and how do they fit in the grand scale of the way cannabis exists and evolves?Lior Chatow: The cannabis plants genome encompasses all of the plants genetic information. The plants phenotype is the expressed genome, and it accounts for the plants characteristics, such as chemical composition and appearance. Due to environmental factors and adaptations, the plants genome may change as part of evolution and natural selection to better survive and adapt to new environments. These adaptive processes led to the creation and diversification of cannabis genomes, producing more strains with varied effects that humans can benefit from.

How does identifying and mapping out genomes help us understand more specific qualities of cannabis? By researching and studying the cannabis genome, we can learn about its expressed phenotype and, more specifically, about its expressed phytochemical makeup. The phytochemicals in cannabis include terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids and many more diverse compounds. These compounds are the fundamental building blocks of cannabiss therapeutic benefits. By mapping out their individual characteristics, the industry can engineer products with highly specific applications based on consumer preference and patient need.

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For example, Eybna is pursuing ethnobotanical research into the cannabis genome, with a particular focus in this case on the known daytime sativa-like effect and nighttime indica-like effect. This work will help identify the specific phytochemicals that create these well-known effects, and help brands further meet the functional needs of consumers across form factors.

How much research into the cannabis genome was conducted before states began legalizing the plant? In Israel, the longstanding history of cannabis research is tied to professor Raphael Mechoulam, one of the pioneers of the field. During the 1960s, Mechoulam began investigating the cannabis plant after learning about the isolation of morphine from opium. Through his collaborative efforts with Dr. Yechiel Gaoni and Dr. Yuval Shvo, Mechoulam was able to isolate many cannabinoids, most notably cannabidiol (CBD) in 1963 and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, in 1964.

At present, Israel is consistently graded among the top locations for cannabis research, and it actively encourages the industrys growth. As more countries push toward full legalization, Israels scientific approach, combined with a friendly legal framework and ongoing research efforts, have helped position the local industry to blossom. With the governments steadfast approval alongside the rich history of cannabis research within its borders, Israels cannabis sector is busily planting the seeds for tomorrows big developments.

Lior Chatow is a lead researcher at Israel-based Eybna.

Courtesy of Eybna

Eybnas belief is that the phytochemical makeup of a strain should be its main identifier instead of the given strain name. This ensures a data-driven standardization that will help bring consistency back to well-loved strains and open new doors for strain innovation. Eybnas Enhancer Line started at the genome level, tracing three OG strains back to their original breeders and using these samples to identify the genetic characteristics that define Kush," Skunk and Diesel. By mapping and packaging this data-driven standard for three iconic strains, the Enhancer Line allows for the introduction of authentic, desired essences that cannabis products may be lacking today due to the natural divergence from the original genome, as well as post-harvest processes.

Does your research validate or invalidate any claims or beliefs about identifying cannabis, and how certain cultivars and terpenes are tied to certain effects? Eybna's efforts with Seach Medical Group resulted in uncovering a certain terpene pattern that correlates to nighttime strains and daytime strains. The study was conducted on medical cannabis patients in Israel and highlighted the phytochemical difference between these two strains, showing correlations between certain terpenes and effects. Some of these correlations validated certain existing claims, and some contradicted previous findings and claims.

The results provide us with the understanding that there is still much more to uncover when it comes to phytochemicals' effects on the pharmacological value of cannabis products. With the right data, tools and people, Eybna is hard at work cracking these codes and unlocking the world of targeted, data-driven cannabis experiences.

Does the growing scenario or environment impact a cannabis genome?The fact that genetically identical plants can have vastly different phenotypes demonstrates that gene-environment interaction is a key regulator of phenotypic diversity. Environmental factors play an important role in the production of the characteristics in cannabis; however, they do not change the genome.

Genetic adaptation is the change in genome that occurs to fit a new environment, and is the key agent in evolution. For example, the leaf morphological change that occurred to cannabis sativa throughout the years is believed to be due to temperature adaptation from cold to hot climate, and the phytochemical differences may be due to the exposure to new pathogens and diseases in new environments.

Breeders of the worlds most beloved strains got started by experimenting with genetic adaptations. With the Enhancer Line, Eybna is working to help preserve the legacy and authenticity, and embrace the process of evolution and change that naturally continues. We believe that introducing a new genetics-driven approach to cannabis will be crucial to help the industry further expand, innovate and reach new communities worldwide.

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What Unlocking the Genomes of Marijuana Strains Tells Us - Westword